UN building in Geneva. Ukraine: There are 2.8 million people with disabilities in the country, and this number is constantly growing Human Rights
In Geneva, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which completed its consideration of Ukraine’s report, praised the state’s efforts to protect people with disabilities during the war, and also raised the issue of children, including children with disabilities, who were forcibly taken to territories controlled by Russia.
War has led to an increase in the number of people with disabilities
Iryna Postolovska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine for European Integration and head of the delegation, presented the report, stating that Russia’s full-scale invasion has led to an increase in the number of people with disabilities. There are currently 2.8 million people with disabilities living in Ukraine, but this number is constantly increasing due to military action.
For Ukraine, protecting the rights of people with disabilities during the war and ensuring their integration into society is of paramount importance, she stressed.
Postolovska noted that the devastating consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion affected many areas of life in Ukraine. Despite this, the government was able to provide social services to all vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities.
Children separated from families
Committee expert Amalia Gamio explained that the main issues of interest to human rights activists concerned children with disabilities who faced the consequences of the armed conflict and were separated from their families. In particular, the committee members received information about the forced transportation of children, including children with disabilities, from the territory of Ukraine to territories under the control of Russia.
The Ukrainian delegation said the government was working with its partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to facilitate the return of children to areas under Ukrainian control. The government had launched the “Bring Back the Children” initiative to facilitate their return. Returned children were provided with a full range of services, including psychological support, social services and education.
Combatting Institutionalization
In light of the Ukrainian authorities’ statements that they were prioritizing deinstitutionalization, Gamio asked the delegation about the measures taken in this area, in particular the construction of new institutions for children with disabilities.
The delegation said deinstitutionalization remained a priority for the government. A coordination centre has been established to ensure the development of family-based care for children, including children with disabilities. A regional council has been established under the centre to ensure a coordinated approach to deinstitutionalisation, including preventing the creation of new institutions.
The Ukrainian authorities have informed their development partners that investment funds should not be invested in institutional care institutions, but should instead be directed towards developing community services to support children with disabilities.