President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law to create a National Registry of Information on Children Deported or Forcibly Displaced due to Russian aggression. This registry is a vital step in Ukraine’s efforts to safeguard the rights of its youngest victims and facilitate their return home.
The registry aims to systematically collect and store information about children who have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred during the war. It will also track harm inflicted on children’s personal and non-material rights, including trauma, loss of access to education, healthcare, and cases of inhumane treatment or torture.
Supported by international technical assistance, the registry will be a secure platform for documenting these violations. It will also enable Ukraine to coordinate actions with international organizations to locate and reunite children with their families, as well as prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
This registry is an essential tool for defending the rights of Ukrainian children and ensuring their safe return. It also strengthens our capacity to hold perpetrators accountable and protect our nation’s future.
Photo by Serhiy Morgunov.