{"id":1530,"date":"2025-06-25T09:33:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/eetn\/?p=1530"},"modified":"2025-06-25T09:33:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:33:06","slug":"the-weaponization-of-childhood-the-international-communitys-role-in-addressing-russias-deportation-of-ukrainian-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/eetn\/2025\/the-weaponization-of-childhood-the-international-communitys-role-in-addressing-russias-deportation-of-ukrainian-children\/","title":{"rendered":"The Weaponization of Childhood: The International Community\u2019s Role in Addressing Russia\u2019s Deportation of Ukrainian Children\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n The Weaponization of Childhood: The International Community\u2019s Role in Addressing Russia\u2019s Deportation of Ukrainian Children\u00a0\n <\/h1>\n \n \n \n\n

By: Valeriia Gusieva <\/p>\n\n\n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

In any war zone, children are often the most vulnerable population, frequently becoming victims of abuse at the hands of the aggressor\u2019s government. Since the war in Ukraine began in 2014, Ukrainian children have faced numerous hardships, including displacement, the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the constant threat of injury or death. One of the most egregious yet historically entrenched colonial practices employed by the Russian Federation continues to be the separation and deportation of children \u2013 a strategy with the ultimate aim of cultural erasure and systematic isolation of future generations. To better understand the historical context of child removal as a tool of colonial domination, the specific actions taken by Russia in Ukraine (2014-2024), and the gaps in international legal frameworks for child protection in the context of Russian aggression in Ukraine, read our previous analysis.<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Presidential Commissioner for Children\u2019s Rights in 2023, no arrests have been made. While the international community continues to struggle with how best to respond, some governments, including Canada, have taken active steps to return deported children by co-chairing The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children<\/a> (Coalition) as part of the Bring Kids Back UA campaign. In contrast, the Trump administration halted funding<\/a> for the Yale University\u2019s Humanitarian Research Lab that exposed the complicity of Russian and Belarusian governments in the forceful deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. This analysis will further examine the efficacy of international responses in addressing the atrocities committed by the Russian government and pursuit of justice for Ukrainian families, while critically interrogating the political dynamics and colonial dynamics that continue to shape the implementation and practice of international legal norms. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring Kids Back UA & Canada\u2019s Attempt to Reclaim Global Leadership in Human Rights Protection <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: The Ukrainian Week \/ Tyzhden\/X <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In response to the Russian deportation of Ukrainian children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated a strategic action plan titled Bring Kids Back UA.<\/a> The plan aims to unite not only the Ukrainian government but also international organizations in efforts to return Ukrainian children from Russian custody. As part of this initiative, the International Coalition was officially launched in Kyiv on February 2, 2024, co-chaired by the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Canada. The Coalition\u2019s primary goal is to ensure<\/a> the safe return of all Ukrainian children from Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Additional objectives include coordinating international efforts, sharing accurate information, and compiling reliable statistics\u2014an especially challenging task due to the Russian government’s lack of transparency and ongoing disinformation campaigns. The Coalition also focuses on advocacy and communications to keep the issue of forced deportations prominent in international forums. At the 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland, the Canadian government announced a support package that included $15 million specifically dedicated to:<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n