MARCH FOR THE CHILDREN OF UKRAINE IN LONDON

The March for the Children of Ukraine took place in London on Sunday, 1 June, calling for justice for Ukrainian children living under Russian occupation. Organized by a coalition of groups, the large demonstration moved through central London, stopping at Downing Street, where a delegation of children from Spirit of Ukraine, led by Olena Ivashchenko of Campaign for Ukraine, delivered a letter on behalf of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, Campaign for Ukraine, and Vsesvit, Ukraine Solidarity Collective.

The protest saw strong support from the labour movement, with significant participation from unions including UCU, PCS, GMB, NUM, and ASLEF.

At Parliament Square, a rally was held featuring prominent speakers, including Johanna Baxter MP, Mick Antoniw MS, John McDonnell MP, Alex Sobel MP, Daniel Kebede (General Secretary of NEU), John Moloney (Assistant General Secretary of PCS), and Peter Evans of UCU.

Urgent Action Required on the Abduction of Ukrainian Children

To the Prime Minister,

We write to you with deep concern regarding the plight of Ukrainian children under Russian occupation. Ukraine has made the protection and return of its children a key condition for any peace settlement.

Since the occupation of Ukrainian territory in 2014 an estimated 1.6 million Ukrainian children have been at risk. Russia is perpetrating child abduction on an unprecedented scale. Ukraine recorded 19,546 cases of child abduction, while more recent research estimates that at least 35,000 children have been forcibly taken.  Statements from Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, claim that over 700,000 Ukrainian children have been moved to Russia since February 2022.

This policy represents a grave violation of international law and an attempt to deprive Ukraine of its future generation. We urge the UK Government to reaffirm its commitment to justice. We call on you to support and advocate for urgent measures, including:


• Granting Access to a Protecting Power – Russia must permit a neutral state or designated authority full and unrestricted access to Ukrainian children currently in Russia and occupied territories.


• Establishing Safe Channels for Return – A secure mechanism must be created to enable families and children held in Russia and occupied territories to communicate with representatives of a Protecting Power and facilitate their safe return.


• Implementing International Justice Mechanisms – Strengthening legal frameworks for accountability and ensuring that Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes do not go unanswered.


• Strengthening Sanctions – Reinforcing sanctions against Russia and Belarus, targeting officials and oligarchs, transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, and closing loopholes that allow circumvention of existing restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas imports.


• Convening a Global Summit – Organizing an international “Save the Children of Ukraine” summit to coordinate global efforts in securing justice for the affected children.

Ukraine’s children cannot wait. We urge the UK Government to take decisive action in leading international efforts to ensure justice, accountability, and the safe return of these innocent victims.

Yours faithfully

Christopher Ford, Ukraine Solidarity Campaign                    info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org                        

Olena Ivashchenko, Campaign for Ukraine                    

Mariia Pastukh, Vsesvit                                                

INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS

June 1 was part of an international day of action with protests in different cities around the world – Brussels, Tokyo, Stockholm, Dublin, Auckland (New Zealan), Barcelona.

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