On September 12, during the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, a renowned Ukrainian athlete, Elina Svitolina, addressed the event participants.
Svitolina’s speech was dedicated to the unlawful deportations of Ukrainian children by Russia, highlighting the vitality of the issue for the future of Ukraine.
“The future of Ukrainian children is threatened not only by missiles but also by buses that take them far away from their homes and everything they love. These children are taken away without consent and any explanation, hidden from the world. Their lives are threatened not only by the war but also by the loss of identity, family, and homeland,” stated Svitolina during her speech.
The athlete also highlighted the main indoctrination tactics that Russia uses when abducting Ukrainian children, such as forcing them to sing the Russian national anthem and depriving kids of their right to learn their native language and history.
Svitolina concluded her speech with the call to support the Bring Kids Back UA initiative “to ensure that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is not an empty sound.”
Elina was also present at the Bring Kids Back UA exhibition, which depicted the trauma and injustice children have suffered when they were brutally taken away from their homes and families.
We voice our great appreciation to Elina Svitolina for being a powerful voice for deported Ukrainian children during such a crucial event. With such ambassadorship, we have the power to unite the world community and bring all of our little Ukrainians back.