Sirje Karis emphasised the importance of raising awareness of the situation of children in Ukraine both in Estonia and internationally, and highlighted their need for a safe environment and hope for the future. “The knowledge of what it means to be torn away from your home, family, country and people, language and culture, also lives on in our own collective memory,” said Sirje Karis. “There are people among us whose parents or grandparents grew up in Russian orphanages because their parents were either dead or in forced labour camps. We cannot remain silent as we see history repeating itself, because this is not just a concern for Ukraine, but for all of us.”
The Spouse of the President of Estonia gave recognition to the filmmakers and all Estonian people for their support in helping Ukrainian children, and confirmed Estonia’s commitment to continue this in the future. “We must also keep the deported Ukrainian children and their return under constant international scrutiny,” said Sirje Karis. “It’s the least we can do.”
Sirje Karis called for an open discussion on Russia’s systematic deportation of Ukrainian children and emphasised that international society must continue to pay attention to this important issue and support the return of children to their homes. “Today, we all have to speak about the fact that Russia’s systematic deportation of Ukrainian children is a very serious international crime and we cannot rest until the deported children have returned to their homes,” she said.
Sirje Karis said she was thankful that through the tireless work of Mrs Olena Zelenska and the foundation she’s established, she’s been able to contribute to raising awareness of the situation of Ukrainian children, both in Estonia and at international meetings, most recently at the UN General Assembly side event. “Children’s rights, which include safety in childhood and when growing up, are one of the three key issues for Estonia’s candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council,” said Sirje Karis.
