Russia grossly violates children's rights in temporarily occupied territories – ombudsman
It became known that 40 Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region, were recruited to the so-called "military-patriotic" movement "Young Army," which imposes the ideology of Russian aggression and educates future soldiers of the occupation regime, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said.
"It became known from open sources that 40 Ukrainian children from Berdiansk, Zaporizhia region, were recruited to 'Young Army' the so-called 'military-patriotic' movement, which imposes the ideology of Russian aggression and educates future soldiers of the occupation regime. Children are forced to take an 'oath of allegiance' to Russia, promise to 'defend its interests...' After that, they are taught fire and tactical training, drone control," Lubinets said in Telegram on Friday.
The ombudsman said these youth movements are used by Russia as a tool for the forced re-education of Ukrainian children, depriving them of their national identity and preparing them to participate in the war against their own country.
"This is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions! According to them, children in the occupied territories are guaranteed protection from coercion, violence and recruitment to military formations," Lubinets said.
The ombudsman called on the international community to take decisive action: strengthening sanctions, increasing diplomatic pressure and drawing attention to Russia's crimes.
It was previously reported that Ukraine was able to return 1,002 children from the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied territories.