Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On issues of guardianship and custody authorities’ activities related to child rights protection”

The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On issues of guardianship and custody authorities’ activities related to child rights protection” defines the specific procedures for protecting the rights of children whose parents are located in areas affected by military action, temporary occupation, blockade, or encirclement. The document outlines the processes for identifying such children, officially registering them, establishing their identity, and organizing guardianship, as well as temporary placements, including foster families and family-type orphanages. In cases where a child loses parental care due to wartime circumstances or cannot return to their family, the relevant authorities prepare documents to grant them the status of an orphan or a child deprived of parental care.

The Resolution also includes provisions for issuing temporary identification documents for children and registering them as internally displaced persons. Central to this approach is the use of the Unified Information-Analytical System “Children,” a national database designed for tracking children without parental care, which ensures effective monitoring and planning for their protection and reintegration. In instances where physical handover to caregivers is not feasible, the Resolution allows for virtual introductions between guardians and children and mandates record-keeping for children residing abroad.

The wartime amendments reflect the necessity for swift, accurate responses to urgent situations where the prompt collection of information on children is vital. This Resolution as a whole demonstrates a flexible approach to safeguarding children during emergencies and wartime, though issues surrounding their security, legal support, and reintegration remain essential and draw considerable public attention.