Australia backs coalition to return Ukrainian children from Russia
Photo: Australia joined the program to return Ukrainian children from Russia (Getty Images)
Australia joins the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children deported by Russia, according to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
"Another country has sided with us in the fight for the rights of Ukrainian children affected by unlawful displacement and deportation. We are grateful to Australia for its support and willingness to help return young Ukrainians home," noted Dmytro Lubinets.
The coalition to return Ukrainian children is a joint initiative by Ukraine and Canada, launched on February 2, 2024.
Australia becomes the 41st country to join the initiative.
Deportation of Ukrainian children
According to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Russia unlawfully deported 19,500 children from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. Since the invasion began, Ukraine has successfully returned over 500 children.
This led the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova.
In April, Japan joined the coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.
