Ministry of Social Policy: Ukrainian Monitoring Group in Germany held a series of meetings on the protection of children's rights

On April 22, representatives of the monitoring group, which includes members of the Coordination Headquarters for the Protection of the Rights of the Child under Martial Law, met with representatives of the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, public organizations working in the country.

The issues of interaction between state structures, including with public organizations working in the field of protection of children's rights were raised at the meeting.

First of all, colleagues from Germany assured the representatives of the monitoring group that every child who crossed the German border, regardless of whether she or he came with her/his family or unaccompanied or after reaching the age of 16 - all of them are under the control of social services.

In particular, representatives of the German side reported on the procedure for receiving organized groups of children, family-type orphanages, foster families, their registration and providing a package of social services. In addition, the parties discussed the possibility of signing a memorandum between the ministries of social policy of Ukraine and Germany.

At the same time, the issue of international adoption under martial law in Ukraine was discussed. The interlocutors agreed that no child will be adopted in violation of Ukrainian law and that the relevant state bodies are monitoring the situation to prevent such situations.

The Office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) offered to support the establishment of a coordination center between the country's authorities to exchange information and liaise with the necessary structures to address the pressing issues of children and their legal representatives who have been relocated to Germany.

We thank our colleagues from Germany for the help they provide to our children and we hope for further cooperation!