On the World Day against trafficking in persons, the Council of Europe reaffirms its commitment to protecting children of Ukraine from trafficking and exploitation. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has created and exacerbated vulnerabilities, leaving children especially at risk. Children subjected to unlawful deportation or forcible transfer face particular risks arising from separation from their families, isolation in closed environments, changes in legal status, absence of independent monitoring and other situations of heightened vulnerability and dependency.
Needs of children of Ukraine at top of agenda
Addressing these risks remains a priority for the Council of Europe Consultation Group on the children of Ukraine (CGU). The issue has been considered at two of its most recent plenary meetings, bringing together representatives of member states, including Ukraine, relevant Council of Europe bodies and other international partners and experts to examine emerging risks and strengthen prevention and protection responses.
This work has been supported by an analytical report on risks of trafficking in human beings in the context of the displacement and deportation of Ukrainian children, prepared at the initiative of Council of Europe Group of experts on action against trafficking in human beings (GRETA). The mapping identifies recurring patterns and risk trajectories and highlights the importance of using anti-trafficking mechanisms for risk assessment, early identification, prevention and protection, even where the final legal qualification of individual cases has not yet been established.
Proactive prevention needed
These concerns were further reflected in GRETA's statement of 9 July 2026 on human-trafficking risks for Ukrainian children subjected to unlawful deportation or forcible transfer, which stresses the need for proactive prevention, early identification of potential victims, protection and assistance, information exchange and cooperation between war-crimes investigations, child-protection actors and anti-trafficking mechanisms.
The CGU will continue working with state authorities, GRETA and other relevant partners to strengthen capacities to prevent trafficking, identify risks at an early stage, protect children who may be affected, and ensure effective and coordinated responses.
Protecting children of Ukraine from trafficking and exploitation is an integral part of ensuring that their rights and best interests remain at the centre of the response to the consequences of the war.
The Council of Europe's support for Ukraine
Special Envoy of the Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine
