On October 24, 2024, the second White Paper titled "Reintegration of Children Affected by Deportation and Forcible Transfers: International Standards and Best Practices for Ukraine" was presented by Bring Kids Back UA Task Force. This document outlines strategies for reintegrating children who have been forcibly displaced by Russia, focusing on restoring their identities and ensuring their well-being.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of reintegration: "Reintegrating these children is not just about bringing them home. It's about restoring their identity and giving them the support they need to live freely as Ukrainians. Our task is to provide them with a future where they are safe and protected."
Helena Kennedy, Director of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute and co-chair of the Bring Kids Back UA Task Force, underscored the importance of international responsibility, stating: "We know that caring for children who have gone through such immense trauma is not just a task—it’s a full-time job, a responsibility that requires proper support. The international community must create programs that provide this support to ensure the well-being of Ukraine's most vulnerable children."
This White Paper builds on international best practices from countries like Rwanda and Sierra Leone. It presents a detailed roadmap for Ukraine to ensure returned children receive comprehensive socio-psychological support, fair treatment in justice systems, and reintegration into family-based care rather than institutions. The document is a critical component of Ukraine’s broader Bring Kids Back UA initiative, which seeks to return all deported Ukrainian children home.
Daria Zarivna, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President and Chief Operations Officer at Bring Kids Back UA, added: "The reintegration of deported children is a priority that requires coordinated efforts between the government, civil society, and international partners. This White Paper offers a strategic plan with concrete recommendations for Ukraine to follow."
The presentation featured key speakers, including Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine; Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children's Rights; and representatives from civil society organizations such as Save Ukraine, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, and Voices of Children.
The findings from this White Paper will also be presented at the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s Peace Formula in Montreal on October 30-31, where global leaders will develop further actions to return deported Ukrainian children and ensure their reintegration.
Ukraine continues to push forward in its mission to bring back every child affected by Russia’s illegal actions, with this White Paper serving as a crucial step in guiding those efforts.