The Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension, dedicated to the implementation of the fourth point of the President’s Formula for Peace – ‘Release of prisoners and deportees’ – has started in Montreal, Canada.
The event was organised by Canada, Norway and Ukraine, which co-chaired the working group on the implementation of this item. The Ukrainian delegation is represented by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiga, Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva and Iryna Vereshchuk, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Children’s Rights Advisor Daria Gerasymchuk, and other representatives, including Bring Kids Back UA project coordinator Maksym Maksymov.
The conference is aimed at creating a roadmap with concrete solutions for the process of returning captured and deported persons: military, civilians and children. In addition, it is expected to increase pressure on Russia to comply with international law and the Geneva Conventions.
The key tasks are to develop strategies for exchanging information on the whereabouts, health and legal status of prisoners of war, civilian hostages and deported children; to identify concrete steps to stop torture, forced transfers and deportations; and to ensure regular access of international organisations to places of detention in Russia.
The priorities also include expanding efforts to release Ukrainian citizens and strengthening coordination on reintegration, rehabilitation and mental health support for those who have already returned home.
This conference, the ninth in a series of events dedicated to specific points of the Peace Formula, is part of Ukraine’s preparations for the second Peace Summit. It is aimed at developing practical solutions to address important humanitarian issues.
More than 70 countries and international organisations are taking part in the conference.
