The Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Denys Chystikov, participated in the meeting “Destroyed Childhood” to discuss assistance for children of Crimean political prisoners. The meeting was attended by Türkiye’s Chief Public Ombudsman, Şeref Malkoç, as well as representatives from the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, including its Chairman Refat Chubarov, Deputy Chairman Nariman Dzhelyal, and Elvin Kadyrov, Representative of the Commissioner for the Rights of the Residents of Crimea and Sevastopol, along with representatives from charitable organizations and other stakeholders.

The meeting addressed systemic human rights violations in temporarily occupied Crimea and their impact on children’s lives. Participants discussed the challenges facing families of Crimean political prisoners, especially children forced to live without their parents due to actions by the occupying administration.

Şeref Malkoç outlined Türkiye’s planned initiatives to support the families of political prisoners, including comprehensive assistance already provided to Ukrainian children.   

Denys Chystikov emphasized the Ukrainian government’s efforts to support children from temporarily occupied Crimea, particularly those from political prisoners’ families. He stressed the importance of providing information on access to education, obtaining Ukrainian documents, and developing psychological assistance, with the involvement of international partners in these areas.

Participants also shared ideas and proposals for further supporting the families of Crimean political prisoners, and discussed ways to assist children affected by the persecution of their parents by the occupation administration.