The Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights published the results of monitoring visits to institutions in Lviv and Ternopil regions
Recently, information about numerous violations of children’s rights in children’s institutions in Lviv and Ternopil regions, which were discovered during monitoring visits, outraged society in Ukraine. The results of the inspections showed blatant facts of abuse, which became known after the public statement of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for human rights. However, the management of the institutions denies the accusations, which only increased the public outcry. The ombudsman emphasized that without a proper reaction of the local authorities to these violations, the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Press conference on children’s rights and violations in children’s institutions
The Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights held a press conference where the results of monitoring visits to institutions in Lviv and Ternopil regions were announced. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets is on it singled out a number of key issues that require an immediate response, and emphasized that the lack of a legal response from the Regional Military Administration (ORA) will be seen as an impediment to its activities.
“If there is no legal reaction and specific actions on the part of the OVA to my submissions, as the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for human rights, this can be considered as an obstacle to my activities. Therefore, as the Commissioner, I will demand that officials be held accountable under Art. 344 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The law clearly establishes responsibility for illegal influence in any form on the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for human rights or his representative!
My Representatives and employees of our Office have the right to visit orphanages, shelters for children and other places where children are, without prior notification about the time and purpose of the visit. We record violations according to the law! And non-fulfillment of my legal requirements, as the Authorized Person, or my Representatives – entails the responsibility established by Article 188-40 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses!”, – noted Dmytro Lubinets.
The main violations detected during monitoring
Dmytro Lubinets reminded that, as a result of the monitoring visits, the following violations were detected, which became the subject of resonance:
Child abuse is sexual, physical and psychological abuse that threatens their physical and mental health.
Lack of monitoring of children’s health – lack of medical examinations and care, which puts children’s lives at risk.
Unsatisfactory living and education conditions – children do not receive proper nutrition, security and education.
In addition, gross violations of sanitary standards and lack of proper attention to the condition of buildings were recorded in the institutions of Lviv region and Ternopil region. In some institutions, children are left without proper supervision, which leads to violations of their basic rights to decent living conditions.
Reaction to violations of children’s rights
“According to the results of monitoring in the Ternopil region, at the request of my Representative Iryna Suslova, information about criminal offenses under various articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine was entered into the EDPR. Is it possible even after this to seek excuses and manipulations?
I would like to emphasize that these situations will continue to be under my control. Violation of the law, violation of the rights of the child – there should be responsibility!”, Lubinets said.
“Is it possible to continue looking for excuses after such serious facts? Authorities must stop manipulations and take measures to protect children’s rights,” the Ombudsman concluded.
Public importance of transparency and protection of children’s rights
The scandal surrounding violations in children’s institutions in Lviv and Ternopil regions has become a serious challenge for the authorities and human rights defenders. Protection of children’s rights is one of the main functions of the state, and society demands transparency and decisive action. Any attempt to justify abuses or deny the facts only deepens distrust of institutions and undermines the authority of social institutions.
The Ombudsman emphasized that all such cases will be under his personal control and that further violations will be strictly prosecuted by law. Every child has the right to safety, respect and protection, and the authorities must do everything possible to ensure that these rights are respected in any children’s institution in the country.
