The Situation in Ukraine

2nd March 2022

The Office of the Commissioner for Children in Malta forms part of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). ENOC expresses its deepest concerns regarding the safety and well-being of children trapped in the outbreak of the devastating war in Ukraine and reiterates its support and solidarity to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in its role to protect and promote the human rights of children and young people.

Over the last 8 years the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine has consistently reminded that the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine continues to impact on the rights of children. The current armed conflict affecting the whole territory of Ukraine will only aggravate the already fragile situation of children. This was also echoed in the recent statement[1] of UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine M. Russell:

The past eight years of conflict have inflicted profound and lasting damage to children on both sides of the line of contact. The children of Ukraine need peace, desperately, now.”

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights has drawn attention to the fact that approximately 200,000 children have been internally displaced since 2014 and this number will significantly increase in the next days and months. The Commissioner has addressed concrete recommendations to ensure these children access and enjoy their rights under the United Nations Convention in the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)[2].

Armed conflicts breach all the rights of the child; the right to life, the right to live in a united family, the right to health and to education, the right to protection against all forms of violence and exploitation, including sexual abuse, the right to receive humanitarian assistance.

ENOC reiterates that the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights should be able to continue to monitor the situation and report and investigate any breaches of the fundamental rights of children during the armed conflict, and to gather and disseminate relevant information about violations against children in situation of armed conflict.

Now it is time for all European institutions and governments to collectively prove their dedication and commitment to the UNCRC and to actively demonstrate empathy and willingness to protect children from this desperate situation.

 

As a Network, we remain alert to offer our assistance and expertise in any way possible.

[1] https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-m-russell-children-ukraine

[2] They have highlighted the loss of life and injury, and the importance of Safe Schools Declaration, an inter-governmental commitment to protect students, teachers and educational institutions during armed conflict, and the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.