Russia militarizes Ukrainian children in temporarily occupied territories — Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner

This was announced by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.

On World Day against Child Labor, Lubinets once again urged the world to condemn Russia's actions, which go against international laws.

The Human Rights Commissioner emphasized that the fight against child exploitation is governed by international and national laws that both Ukraine and Russia have agreed to follow. Important agreements include the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protects children from exploitation and harmful work.

The European Social Charter guarantees children's rights to proper education and social protection, setting a minimum age for employment to prevent dangerous work. Additionally, Ukraine ratified the International Labor Organization's Convention No. 182, which targets the worst forms of child labor such as slavery, sexual exploitation, and involvement in armed conflicts.

According to the ombudsman, the Russian Federation currently disregards international laws. The Office of the President receives daily reports from Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories, highlighting violations of their rights, including the use of child labor and the militarization of children.

"Unfortunately, Ukraine lacks access to those territories, preventing us from monitoring the protection of children's rights. Millions of Ukrainians, including hundreds of thousands of children, exist outside the legal framework of our state," added Lubinets.