Allegations of Abuse Surface Among Displaced Ukrainian Children in Turkey | AI News Digest
An investigation has uncovered serious allegations of abuse involving 510 Ukrainian children who were relocated to Turkey from conflict-stricken areas following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These children were accommodated in a hotel in Antalya as part of the 'Childhood Without War' initiative, which aimed to provide support for those affected by the war. During a March 2024 inspection involving Ukrainian officials, Turkey's Ombudsman Institution, and UNICEF, numerous instances of abuse and neglect were reported, including sexual abuse by hotel personnel. Despite these alarming findings, both Turkish and Ukrainian prosecutors opted to close their investigations without bringing any charges. The initiative was eventually halted in December 2024, resulting in the children's repatriation to Ukraine and raising significant concerns about the safeguarding of vulnerable populations in times of crisis.
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