Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, chaired a meeting of the Coordination Headquarters for the protection of children’s rights under martial law.

The discussion was attended by Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the National Social Service of Ukraine, regional military administrations, as well as MPs and representatives of NGOs.

The new challenges posed by the war prompt the state to formulate a more balanced state policy in the field of child protection, the Deputy Prime Minister believes.

In particular, the participants of the meeting considered the issue of protecting the rights of children temporarily staying abroad due to russia’s armed aggression.

It is known that some countries have stricter requirements for the observance of children’s rights. As a result, there are situations where children are removed from their parents (other legal representatives) by foreign authorities.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed to issue a note to foreign countries where Ukrainian children have been evacuated. The note should state that in all cases of restriction of the rights of parents and legal representatives, Ukrainian children should be transferred to the jurisdiction of Ukraine.

“National legislation should be applied to our children. Ukraine should help protect the rights and interests of its young citizens. The authorities of foreign countries should understand that our children are staying abroad only temporarily. The return of these children to their homeland is our priority today,” said Iryna Vereshchuk.