Author:
Mariia Kucova
The “Free the Children” Conference, organized by the Democracy Works Foundation, took place in South Africa. The Ukrainian delegation appealed for assistance in repatriating children deported by Russia.
The Voices of Children Foundation representatives participated in the event — co-founder Azad Safarov and psychologist Oksana Pysarieva. They shared insights into the organization's work and experiences in rehabilitating children returned from Russian deportation.
Children came to us with the most horrific stories from their time in Russia as victims of abduction,
said Azad Safarov.
said Azad Safarov.
The Ukrainian delegation also included lawyer Kseniia Korniienko from the Regional Human Rights Center, director of the Ukrainian Institute Volodymyr Sheiko, and former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.
Our children are our most precious assets. Russia is stealing the future of Ukraine. It is indifferent to children's and families' rights. It wants to destroy our identity itself — it's nothing less than genocide,
said the former president of Ukraine.
said the former president of Ukraine.
Deported Ukrainian Children: Situation Overview
Based on documented data, Russia has abducted over 19,000 Ukrainian children, though the actual number may reach 700,000. Furthermore, the aggressor country seeks to erase their identity by altering names, forbidding the use of their native language, and compelling participation in "military-patriotic" activities.
All of these efforts are geared towards making children forget who they are. Russia wants to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians,
believes Azad Safarov.
believes Azad Safarov.
As a psychologist, Oksana Pysarieva hears the stories of deported children in her office. These stories are filled with pain, but what is most frightening is that children try to act like strong adults, recounting their experiences.
In addition to the immediate repercussions of deportation, such as familial separation and exposure to violence, Ukrainian children face psychological problems:
- increased anxiety and loss of basic security;
- panic attacks, feelings of loneliness, lack of adaptation, depression, suicidal thoughts and intentions;
- the trauma of loss and complicated grief;
- sleep and eating disorders;
- loss of identity and basic trust, disorientation, and feelings of betrayal.
The Voices of Children Foundation assists repatriated children in overcoming the psychological aftermath of deportation. The team has shared its expertise with counterparts in South Africa.
How to Return Ukrainian Children from Deportation
Currently, Ukraine has successfully repatriated only 388 deported children. There is still no clear legal mechanism for this, and existing repatriation schemes have their limitations.
African countries, particularly South Africa, can play a role in facilitating the return of deported Ukrainian children, drawing from their own experiences with similar situations. The continent has witnessed numerous conflicts, with children being the first victims.
This horrific experience has allowed for the development of specific mechanisms for identifying, repatriating, and reintegrating children. This experience can also be used to return Ukrainian children,
noted Dzvinka Kachur, honorary president of the Ukrainian Association in South Africa.
noted Dzvinka Kachur, honorary president of the Ukrainian Association in South Africa.
Kseniia Korniienko, a lawyer from the Regional Human Rights Center, presented a mechanism for returning deported Ukrainian children and recommendations to South Africa:
- adopt a parliamentary resolution urging Russia to return deported Ukrainian children;
- adopt a resolution on Ukrainian children at the African Union level;
- support a joint resolution on children in armed conflicts at the African Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child level;
- join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children;
- assume the role of a neutral third party within a unified legal framework.
- support mechanisms of accountability for international crimes against children, including the arrest of Putin should he enter South African territory under the obligations of the Rome Statute.
If we, as Africans, fail to take action, we will perpetuate global impunity. This would mean that any country could invade an African country,
said William Gumede, director of the Democracy Works Foundation.
said William Gumede, director of the Democracy Works Foundation.
How to Rehabilitate Returned Children
Integration and psychological rehabilitation will be a long-term process. Physically returning children from deportation is extremely difficult, but psychologically even more so,
emphasized Oksana Pysarieva.
emphasized Oksana Pysarieva.
The "Voices of Children" Foundation follows a child-centered approach, focusing on three key stages:
- stabilization and establishing basic support (family, essential needs, access to education);
- deep trauma work with a psychologist to restore a sense of safety, identity awareness, personal boundaries, freedom, and the right to choice, and to accumulate resources for building new social relationships;
- the remote and comprehensive recovery phase, aimed at supporting the child in creating new positive experiences in various life spheres.
Additionally, the foundation is working on establishing a rehabilitation center where deported children, among others, can undergo psychological recovery.
South African non-governmental organizations have expressed interest in Ukrainian experience in psychological and psychosocial support and are ready to share their own. During bilateral meetings, cooperation agreements were reached.
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