240 children seized from Ukrainian refugees in European countries

The representative of the Ukrainian Ombudsman for the Rights of Children, Family, Youth and Sports reported 240 known cases when European social services took away children from refugees from Ukraine.

IN interview Radio Liberty Irina Suslova said:

“Due to differences in legislation in European countries, there are cases, so to speak, of taking a child away from the people with whom he is. As of now, 240 such cases have been recorded. For example, these can be stories when a mother was forced to stay at work in Ukraine “, and sent the grandmother with her child to the evacuation. The grandmother does not have any power of attorney to represent the interests and is not considered a relative of this child under European law. Thus, social services can involve the police and remove the child from the family.”

Suslova believes that the existing shortcomings on the part of Ukraine are to blame for this:

“Because we had to inform people, say: “Friends, there is a law, it provides that, for example, in Germany you must do such procedures.” Or that a person who has reached the age of 65 cannot be a guardian in Italy or France The Commissioner’s office is trying to monitor this situation, monitor the situation, provide legal assistance to women or families who are in it.We are working with international organizations to resolve this issue, and so that those who find themselves in such a situation receive legal assistance and translation”.

The representative of the Ombudsman explained that if this happened, the relatives of the children should definitely contact the consular department and inform them, they can also contact the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights:

“We will take this issue under control, we will communicate with the consul, with international partners to resolve this situation.”

Back in early May, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmitry Lubinets said that the Ukrainian authorities were aware of “several dozen” cases of children being taken away from refugee families in EU. As of June 1, approximately 1.3 million Ukrainian children live in the countries of the European Union.

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