"Temporary accommodation centers" for the deported Ukrainians in Russia and Belarus. Help centers or new detention camps?

On 30 October 2023, a roundtable discussion on the deportation of Ukrainians titled "Deported Ukrainians in so-called 'Temporary Accommodation Centers' — Resettlement or New Camps?" was held at the Ukrinform press center in Kyiv. Participants discussed the issue of returning deported Ukrainian citizens, particularly children, and the role of the international community in this process.

The President’s Commissioner for Children's Rights, Daria Herasymchuk, emphasized the importance of repatriating deported Ukrainians, noting that Russia is promoting the narrative that if children are provided with "good conditions," there is no need to return them. She also highlighted the lack of a global child protection system, which allows Russia to violate international norms.

Herasymchuk spoke about the Bring Back Kids UA plan, which includes the simultaneous work of identifying, reintegrating children, and holding Russia accountable. She stressed that waiting for victory in the war to begin returning children is dangerous, as the process must begin immediately.

Representative of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights, Iryna Suslova, emphasized that the deportation of Ukrainians to Russia is a crime under international law. She also pointed out that the conditions Russia creates for Ukrainians in so-called "temporary accommodation centers" make it impossible for them to return home.

Human rights lawyer Kateryna Rashevska from the NGO Regional Center for Human Rights spoke about the militarization of Ukrainian children in Russian "re-education camps" and the systematic violations of human rights, while historian and researcher at PR Army Vladyslav Havrylov noted that the deportation of Ukrainians by Russia has historical roots, repeating Soviet-era methods.
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Jane Aliyeva, founder of the charity foundation Mama Jane, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and stressed the significant legal initiatives aimed at returning Ukrainian children and countering Russian propaganda.

The participants called for more active international efforts to repatriate deported Ukrainians, stressing that this is a crucial part of Ukraine's fight for victory.

The organization of the event was supported by Ukrainian Helsinki Human Union and USAID.