Austria's National Council for Protection of Ukrainian Children and Atomic Descamation!

Austria's National Council for Protection of Ukrainian Children and Atomic Descamation!

Ukraine, Ukraine - On April 24, 2025, the National Council unanimously decided to make a resolution that strengthens the protection and support of Ukrainian children. This is done within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, which defines a special responsibility for children in war zones. The application, supported by the parties ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS and GREEN, asks Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to actively work for the return of kidnapped children and to promote the punishment law punishment of these crimes. The devastating effects of the Ukraine conflict on children are unmistakable, as evidenced by Unicef numbers.

In recent years, the war in Ukraine has led to serious injuries to children's rights. According to reports from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), there were over 1,600 attacks in schools that led to numerous deaths and family separations by the end of 2022. The situation in the regions annexed by Russia is particularly worrying, where children are often exposed to military propaganda reports OHCHR .

The role of Austria and claims to the federal government

Austria has already provided around 294 million euros for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, from which numerous children have also benefited. In addition, an increased use of nuclear weapons was required in the National Council. All MPs unanimously advocated that the federal government should work for a nuclear weapons -free world. In this context, NEOS MP Valentin Dengler emphasized the urgency to actively promote atomic disarmament.

The MPs also commented concerns about the continuous child's drafts at the Ukraine conflict. Henrike Brandstötter from the Neos described the kidnapping of Ukrainian children as a clear break in international law, while Gudrun Kugler from the ÖVP pointed out to a "transgenerational trauma". These aspects illustrate the severe humanitarian crisis that was triggered by the war.

Humanitarian points of view in view

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Children, in particular Article 38, makes it clear that children need special protection in war zones. Contracting countries are obliged to ensure that no children under 15 years of age take part in hostility and that protective measures for affected children are taken Convention out .

It is essential to document the experiences of Ukrainian children. Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 669 children have been killed and 1,833 were injured, while 200 children are considered missing after they were abducted to Russia or occupied areas. The actual number of children concerned could be even higher, which underlines the need for immediate measures to support and protect them.