Bring Ukraine’s children home - justice, protection and accountability now
Eurochild members and Ukrainian civil society organisations call for urgent international action to return deported Ukrainian children, ensure accountability for war crimes, and support every child’s safe reintegration.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred within occupied territory or unlawfully deported to Russia. Over two thousand have returned from the occupied territory or Russia, but many more remain far from their family and homes. Over one million Ukrainian children remain under occupation, enduring continuous risks, coercion, and violations of their fundamental rights.
On 30 April 2026, the Bring Kids Back UA team hosted the first Civil Society and Expert Day in Kyiv, bringing together organisations and experts working on the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children, accountability for abductions, and children’s participation in peace processes. Ahead of the event, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and partners prepared a joint statement for Members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which was officially presented during the Coalition’s High-Level Meeting in Brussels on 11 May 2026.
In view of years of efforts aimed at returning Ukrainian children, the Ukrainian organisations identifying, returning, and reintegrating affected children, and ensuring accountability for these crimes, call on Coalition Members to:
- Continue political and economic pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children;
- Adopt and uphold sanctions against individuals and entities involved in violations against Ukrainian children, building up coordination of sanctions regimes among Coalition Members;
- Develop and implement a coordinated Road Map for Coalition Members;
- Provide explicit and sustainable support to the International Criminal Court;
- Strengthen and expand the use of legal mechanisms to protect affected children;
- Monitor and facilitate the implementation of the Resolution;
- Prioritise consistent support for established initiatives;
- Establish comprehensive international protection and safety for civil society workers and volunteers;
- Undertake concrete measures to prevent, document, and respond to persecution, detention, violence, and other forms of pressure against civil society actors;
- Ensure sustained, long-term assistance for the reintegration of Ukrainian children;
- Invest in the capacity of Ukrainian communities to protect and support children;
- Create platforms for dialogue.
