Return every child
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken into Russia.
At least 19,546 Ukrainian children are confirmed missing, according to the Ukrainian Government in March 2023. The true number is likely in the tens of thousands.
They, and 1 million more Ukrainian children under occupation are at risk of abuse, forced assimilation, and even military recruitment. Their childhoods destroyed. Their futures stolen.
We are urging the UK government to:
- Ensure Ukraine's children are not forgotten: Peace cannot come at the expense of the children who have been stolen, and those still living under occupation - their rights, safety and return must be central to any peace agreement.
- Help bring those responsible to justice: Secure the widest possible global coalition to hold to account those who have stolen Ukrainian children from their families and erased their identities.
- Maintain humanitarian leadership: Continue the UK's vital humanitarian work and ensure that other countries also step up - so that every Ukrainian child who escapes Russian control can be protected, reunited with their loved ones, and can rebuild their lives.
Together, we must bring them home.
Petition text to Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Dear Prime Minister,
I am deeply concerned about the tens-of-thousands of Ukrainian children who have been torn from their homes and families and forcibly taken to Russia since the start of this conflict.
A recent report we've written alongside Save Ukraine and the Human Security Center shows that once stolen, children have been brainwashed, tortured, sexually abused and forced into adoption - amongst other horrific abuses.
This is one of the most serious crimes against children happening in the world today.
Every day away from their homes and families puts them at even greater risk of deep, psychological trauma – we must act quickly to secure their return now.
Over a million Ukrainian children live under Russian occupation. They are also in real danger of being taken by Russian authorities, sent to military camps and made to fight against their own people.
No child should be ripped from everything they know and forced to live in terror.
The UK Government is taking important action to support Ukrainian children - but we urge you to use your power and influence to make sure the protection of Ukrainian children is at the top of the global agenda - before it's too late.
We ask you to:
- Ensure Ukraine's children are not forgotten: Peace cannot come at the expense of the children who have been stolen, and those still living under occupation - their rights, safety and return must be central to any peace agreement.
- Help bring those responsible to justice: Secure the widest possible global coalition to hold to account those who have stolen Ukrainian children from their families and erased their identities.
- Maintain humanitarian leadership: Continue the UK's vital humanitarian work and ensure that other countries also step up - so that every Ukrainian child who escapes Russian control can be protected, reunited with their loved ones, and can rebuild their lives.
Children didn't start this war, but over a million of them now live under the control of an authoritarian dictator. It is crucial that the UK Government leads the international community so that children’s rights are prioritised and protected.
War Child UK and other organisations stand ready to work with you and the UK Government on this vital mission.
Yours sincerely,
