Children swept up in violence in Ukraine
2014-05-15
NEW YORK/ GENEVA/ KYIV/ HONG KONG, 15 May 2014- UNICEF is deeply concerned about the unrest in Ukraine and its damaging impact on the lives of children. We know that children have been involved in violent demonstrations and we are examining reports of children being killed and injured in Odessa. UNICEF condemns these grave violations of children’s rights in the strongest possible terms.
UNICEF reports an increase in the demand for psychosocial services for children alongside the disruption of access to education and health services. It is dangerous and detrimental to a child’s health and wellbeing to be witness to or become swept up in violence. UNICEF calls on all parties to do their utmost to maintain services for children and their families, and to make sure that children are not involved or used in demonstrations or witnesses to violence.