Information and Analytical Brief on Security Risks for Children in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine When Obtaining Education and Engaging with the Ukrainian Information and Cultural Space
Children in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine who study under Ukrainian educational standards face real legal and security risks every day. Using Ukrainian learning materials, participating in distance learning, accessing Ukrainian cultural content — all of this can become grounds for persecution by the occupation administration.
This Information and Analytical Brief, prepared by experts of the The Centre of civil education “Almenda”, examines the mechanisms through which Russian legislation on “extremism” and “discrediting the armed forces” is applied against minors in the occupied territories, documents cases of persecution of children, and analyses the systemic monitoring of their digital activity and educational behaviour.
The purpose of this brief is to draw the attention of state authorities, international organisations, and other actors engaged with children and youth in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the need to systematically account for security risks when implementing educational, informational, humanitarian, and communication initiatives — and to uphold the principles of “do no harm” and the “best interests of the child” in policy-making and public communication.
Information and Analytical Brief was prepared by the NGO Centre for Civic Education “Almenda” with the support of the Askold and Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia as part of the project “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine as a Driver of Reforms and Democracy”, funded by Norway and Sweden. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the NGO Centre for Civic Education “Almenda” and does not necessarily reflect the views of the governments of Norway, Sweden or ISAR Ednannia.
