Why the World Has to Unite to Rescue Thousands of Deported and Forcibly Transferred Ukrainian Children from Russia

The Russians said that my mother did not need me.

Oleksandr, 12, Mariupol

Since 2014 Russia has developed a multipronged system to deport and forcibly transfer Ukrainian children. These deportations to Russia and forcible transfers to occupied territories of Ukraine are systematic and carried out via a process involving filtration camps, foster care, and adoptive families. In many cases, children’s passports, and even their names, are changed, making it nearly impossible for their biological parents to find them again.

They are not isolated incidents. Nearly 20,000 children are reported to have been deported or forcibly transferred by Russia and as many as 586 children have been reported dead. While Russian officials call it “humanitarian evacuation”, the reality is that these acts are classified as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and cross into genocide.

In an effort to combat this tragedy, countries approved a Joint Communiqué, with its central component being the Montreal Pledge, aimed at facilitating the return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children from Russia. The pledge was signed recently at a conference in Montreal, Canada where over 70 countries and organizations met to discuss the humanitarian impact of the war.

The commitments made in Montreal as a whole focused on the practical implementation of Point Four of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula — “Release of All Prisoners and Deported Persons.” The 10-Point Peace Formula, which was conceived in the spring of 2022 by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, was adopted by 87 countries following the first annual Summit on Peace for Ukraine in June 2024.

The newly signed Montreal Communiqué will aid in coordinating ongoing efforts to locate missing Ukrainians. It has also brought in countries like Qatar, South Africa, and the Holy See (Vatican) who have agreed to act as intermediaries in negotiating the children’s return. Lithuania and Qatar will also serve as transit countries.

While over 70 countries attended the event, several countries did not disclose their attendance due to “direct pressure from Russia,” according to Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Joly claims Russia made representations in many global capitals threatening these countries not to come to Montreal. “It shows that what we’re doing is shedding light on an issue that embarrasses Russia,” Joly said.

Joly and others involved feel that holding Russia’s proverbial feet to the fire, is the only way to bring Ukraine’s kids home, and it appears to be working. To bring these children home, nations from across the globe must come together and voice their discontent against Russia and its forcible deportations.

Ukraine is actively engaging partners at multiple levels around the world through the Bring Kids Back UA, a national initiative launched by the President of Ukraine. This initiative unites the Ukrainian government, other states, international organizations, and civil society in a coordinated global effort to rescue abducted children. The goal of Bring Kids Back UA is straightforward: every Ukrainian child must be brought home. And there are ways for you to help, no matter where you are.

Governments: Coalition for the return of Ukrainian children

The Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which presented at the conference in Montreal, began its workin Kyiv, Ukraine February 2, 2024. It is made up of 41 countries and co-chaired by the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Canada.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Joly said the countries agreed to coordinate efforts to gather information about Ukrainians held in Russia and to create safe pathways for their return. Additionally, Argentina, Estonia, and Croatia will also join this work to help gather information The coalition also works to facilitate the full reintegration of children once they are returned.

So far Ukraine has brought back 1,008 children with the help of the coalition, underscoring just how important global support is to fulfill the goal of ultimately returning all nearly 20,000 kids.

Individuals: Task force

As part of President Zelenskyy’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA, a separate task force has been established, consisting of leading global experts on child protection who are developing new international mechanisms to return deported or forcibly displaced children. The group is co-chaired by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and Lady Helena Kennedy LT KC, Director of IBAHRI, one of the UK’s most prominent lawyers.

Bring Kids Back UA Task Force has mobilized human rights organizations, academics, international lawyers, and independent experts to join their team. Other members of the task force include the former Prime Minister of Lithuania, Andrius Kubilius, professors and directors from Yale University and Georgetown University, advisors to the UN and the ICC, and experts in the human rights field with years of experience defending the rights of children in Sierra Leon.

The Task Force aims to investigate and create human rights-based mechanisms for the voluntary return of unlawfully deported or forcibly displaced children to Ukraine. It will also develop recommendations to enhance the international legal framework to prevent similar violations of children’s rights in armed conflicts, using Ukraine as a case study. The Task Force includes experts in policy, law, diplomacy, and children’s rights protection, all acting in their personal capacities, with the principle of the best interests of the child as its guiding focus.

Bring Kids Back Ambassadors

Ambassadors for the Bring Kids Back UA include Ukrainian professional tennis player Elina Svitolina (Monfils), who recently appeared on CNN’s “Amanpour” to discuss the work of the initiative. Through the work of its global ambassadors like Svitolina, the initiative aims to educate the global community on this tragedy in the hopes it will bring people together to increase pressure on Russia and keep attention on forcibly deported and transported children.

The visibility created by global ambassadors puts political and diplomatic pressure on Russia and its allies to account for and address the unlawful deportation and displacement of Ukrainian children. High-profile endorsements can signal to Russia and the international community that the issue is a matter of global concern and human rights, potentially influencing diplomatic discussions and policy decisions.

You: Information Sharing

Bring Kids Back UA believes that only joint efforts and collaboration with the international community can stop the suffering of Ukrainian children. It believes that substantially increasing pressure on Russia is required until every child is returned home. This pressure is achieved by spreading awareness throughout the global community.

While nations and experts work at the highest levels to achieve this, there is grassroots work to be done as well:

If you would like to help but aren’t sure how the easiest thing you can do is raise awareness. This can be done by following the social media accounts of Bring Kids Back UA, supporting its initiatives and/or discussing this topic with friends and family.

If you work as a journalist, filmmaker, or some other form of storytelling medium, you may consider showcasing the issue. If you are an influencer or celebrity, you may decide to present this topic to your following to help raise awareness. If you have expertise in children’s rights or law, you may consider joining the Bring Kids Back UA task force. Every little bit helps. As the saying goes, alone, we are one drop, but together, we are an ocean.