Mr. Chair,
I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada and my own country, Norway. This critical document, prepared by the distinguished experts Professor Ascensio, Dr. Steinert and Professor Wolff, sheds light on the harsh realities faced by Ukrainian children living under Russia’s temporary occupation, as well as those unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by the Russian Federation. We thank the rapporteurs for their extensive work and report.
The report concludes that Russia has established a “coordinated mechanism of indoctrination and militarisation, as well as of suppression of any dissent”. The education system in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine has been systematically transformed into a tool of Moscow’s war machine. Efforts are being made to eradicate Ukrainian culture, language and history, especially in education. Military training has become a compulsory component of education, while militarization extends beyond the classroom through State-sponsored military-patriotic youth organizations and re-education camps. Russia continues to pressure families into accepting Russian passports for their children. All with the aim to erase Ukrainian children’s identity and replace it with a Russian one while administratively incorporating the temporarily occupied territories into Russia. The system is enforced through pervasive, coercive pressure on parents, teachers, and children. At its worst, this system prepares, compels and forces young Ukrainian men to fight against their fellow citizens, imposing pre-conscription as early as 16.
The Mission concludes that “the best interests of the child were disregarded in every dimension of Russia’s policy”.
Mr. Chair,
This report is not just a collection of findings – it is a call to action. It contains well-substantiated recommendations.
As co-chairs, together with Ukraine, of the Kyiv-based Working Group on the Human Dimension – which focuses on the return of deported children, civilian detainees and prisoners of war, Norway and Canada remain deeply committed to promoting respect for international law and strengthening the coordination of international efforts to address the human impact of this war. We agree with the principal recommendation of the report that the plight of Ukrainian children must be a central consideration in the ongoing war and in all cease-fire and peace negotiations – in accordance with International Law.
We call for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Moscow Mechanism report, including that Russia “immediately establish a legal mechanism to assist with the restoration of the personal identity of all Ukrainian children in the temporarily occupied territories or the Russian Federation, in full compliance with Article 8(2) of the UNCRC.”
Finally, I hope that our Russian colleagues carefully read the report and listen to the discussion in this room today. We urge the Russian Federation to return all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. Russia must ensure that all Ukrainian children are treated in full compliance with its obligations under international law. Ultimately, the most effective way to achieve this would be for Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and immediately and unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.
Thank you.