Ombudsman Receives Over Three Thousand Complaints Regarding Child Rights Violations in 2025

In 2025, Ukraine witnessed a substantial influx of complaints regarding violations of children's rights. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, shared excerpts from the annual report on the social media platform Telegram, revealing that a total of 3,426 complaints were received related to this critical issue. Lubinets highlighted that as part of his activities, there were 826 visits and 110 remote monitoring sessions conducted, underscoring the proactive efforts being made in this area.

Particular attention was drawn by the Ombudsman to the situation concerning deported and forcibly displaced children. According to his statements, as of December 31, 2025, under the initiative of President of Ukraine, Bring Kids Back UA, 1,943 children were successfully returned from temporarily occupied territories and Russia. Notably, out of this number, 667 children were returned specifically in 2025, with 410 of these children being brought back by the Secretariat of the Ombudsman, and 194 of them in the current year.

Lubinets emphasized that the work in this domain does not conclude with the return of children. Upon their return, children receive necessary assistance and support at Child Rights Protection Centers, which operate under the “Barnahus” model. These centers are located in major cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lutsk, Rivne, and Dnipro. The Ombudsman pointed out that some cases require not general solutions, but targeted interventions.

One notable example of such efforts was the return of a three-year-old boy from Cairo, who found himself abroad without his mother. The staff of the Secretariat not only organized the boy's return but also traveled a distance of 3,600 kilometers, spending 50 hours on the road. Thanks to these dedicated efforts, the child was reunited with his family in Ukraine.

Additionally, Dmytro Lubinets reached out to international organizations, such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, regarding the trial in Russia of three teenagers from the temporarily occupied Melitopol. This highlights Ukraine's active stance in defending children's rights on the international stage.

Overall, the situation regarding children's rights in Ukraine remains complex; however, thanks to the efforts of the Ombudsman and various organizations, there are positive developments. The return of children from occupied territories is a significant step in restoring their rights and ensuring their safety.

In light of these events, it is crucial to continue supporting initiatives aimed at protecting children's rights, as well as ensuring adequate assistance and support for those in need.

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