Improving the Legal Framework to Protect Children’s Rights Under Martial Law

Improving the Legal Framework to Protect Children’s Rights Under Martial Law

On March 20, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers amended some legal instruments to ensure the protection of children’s rights during a state of emergency or martial law. Below is a summary of the most critical issues relating to children’s rights protection.

The Procedure to Grant a Status of a War or Armed Conflict Victim to a Child, approved by Ordinance Number 268 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated April 5, 2017, will be amended to expand the territories of anti-terrorist operation as well as measures to ensure national security and defense, repelling and deterring Russia’s war beyond the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

It is necessary to amend Ordinance Number 866 of the Cabinet of Ministers, dated September 24, 2008, which approved the Procedure for Carrying Out Activities Relating to Protection of Children’s Rights by Guardianship and Custody Authorities to reflect threats and challenges arising in martial law. The procedure for keeping records of Ukrainian citizens living outside Ukraine, approved by Ordinance Number 85 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated January 29, 2020, shall be amended to add provisions on consular registration of children that are granted temporary protection status in European Union countries.

30, March 2022