Ukrainian children back to war: Return causes horror!

Ukrainian children back to war: Return causes horror!

A shocking event took place in Burgenland on Sunday night. 52 Ukrainian children between the ages of three and nine were brought out of their beds at 3 a.m. and shipped to three buses to be brought back to Ukraine. This return takes place after three years of staying in Burgenland, where many of them had found refuge before the horror of the war. The situation raises considerable questions, especially with regard to the living conditions of the children back in a war zone. The press reports that there are many uncertainties about the future of the children, since only eight of them can return to their families. The rest is distributed but unclear where and under what circumstances.

The concerns are enormous. The UN refugee work warns a return without adequate examination of the circumstances. There are alarming memories of earlier reports on orklifting houses in Ukraine that were connected to pedophile networks. Children from orphans were often released into an unclear life without any support, which made them susceptible to human trafficking. Pascale Vayer from the “Little Hearts” association is stunned by this return and describes them as irresponsible.

also worrying compulsory deportations

In the meantime, reports on the forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities can be heard everywhere in the news. These practices have been in the spotlight since Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's child rights officer, has moved into the spotlight because it is sought by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes. Human Rights Watch documents the approach of Russian officials in violent areas, which is considered a war crime. These forced relocations are accompanied by numerous injuries to the rights of the children, which are often housed in foreign, unknown environments, far from their culture and language.

A large proportion of the deported children has living relatives in Ukraine. But Russian authorities did not manage to promote the return of these children, which makes the situation even more dramatic. Many Ukrainian families face logistical and financial hurdles when they try to get their children back.

The shocking increase in violence

Another worrying picture draws the annual report of "Save the Children" about the effects of wars on children. Violence against children in conflicts increased by 13 % in 2022. Especially in Ukraine, the highest number of killed and mutilated children worldwide - 477 killed and 909 mutilated. Euronews emphasizes that every sixth child worldwide will be in a war zone and the number of children who are recruited for armed groups, as well as the attacks in schools and hospitals are.

The international community is urgently asked to put pressure on the warring parties to protect children's rights. In view of the current circumstances, both the return of the children and the safety of children in conflict situations are a challenge that requires immediate attention.