Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On the State of Social Protection of Children and Urgent Measures Aimed at Protecting Children’s Rights in Ukraine”

Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “On the state of social protection of children and urgent measures aimed at protecting the rights of the child in Ukraine” reflects the systemic challenges in the field of social protection of children, exacerbated by the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. The document emphasizes the need to develop new legal and administrative mechanisms to ensure the rights of children living in occupied territories, crossing the contact line, or affected by military actions.

The main provisions of the Resolution call on the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to develop new procedures regarding the deprivation and restoration of parental rights, the creation of mechanisms for issuing Ukrainian passports to children living in occupied territories, and measures to protect the rights of orphans, children with disabilities, and children who have suffered from violence. Special emphasis is placed on the need to establish unified standards for collecting statistics on violence against children.

Additionally, the Resolution includes requirements for improving procedures in criminal cases involving children, particularly regarding the interrogation of children who have become victims of violence. It provides for the expansion of children’s participation in decision-making processes related to their lives, as well as the implementation of a state strategy for protecting children in conflict zones.

The context for adopting this Resolution lies in the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the child rights protection system in Ukraine. The ongoing threat of armed conflict, the refugee crisis, and the lack of sufficient social services for vulnerable categories of children underscore the necessity of these changes. Currently, the implementation of these measures remains a crucial task for state authorities, though the practical realization of many aspects requires further refinement at the level of executive authorities and local administrations.

The state of implementation of this Resolution is inconsistent. Some aspects, such as rehabilitation services for affected children and improvements in legislation on social protection, have already seen tangible progress. However, there are still numerous challenges, including the provision of adequate budget funding and interagency coordination, which require immediate attention from responsible government bodies.