Russia is systematically trying to brainwash Ukrainian children in occupied areas in the east of the country in a concerted strategy which breaches the laws of unarmed conflict, a disturbing new report has claimed.
The Human Rights Watch investigation, published yesterday, claims Moscow is imposing the Russian curriculum, anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and requiring that Russian be used as the “language of instruction”.
The 66-page report, entitled: Education under Occupation: Forced Russification of the School System in Occupied Ukrainian Territories,” documents violations of international law by the Russian authorities in formerly occupied areas of Ukraine’s Kharkivska region, as well as other regions that remain under Russian control.
Staff who have resisted such changes have faced threats, detention and in some cases torture.
HRW also found that parents whose children were learning the Ukrainian curriculum were in some cases threatened.
Bill Van Esveld, HRW’s associate children’s rights director, said: “Russia should stop denying Ukrainian children their right to education as guaranteed to them under international law.
“It should immediately cease attempts to Russify the education system and to carry out political indoctrination in occupied territories of Ukraine.”
Human Rights Watch interviewed a total of 42 educators, school staff, and other officials in Kharkivska after Russian forces left the area in September 2022, as well as speaking to teachers who had been displaced or escaped from the areas of Khersonska, Zaporizka, Donetska, and Luhanska regions.
Ukrainian experts believe one million school-age Ukrainian children remain in Russian-occupied territory.
Data provided by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science suggests more than 62,400 children living in occupied areas continue to study in Ukrainian secondary education institutions remotely.
The laws of war require an occupying power to restore public order and services in the occupied territory, including to facilitate the proper education of children, while respecting the laws in force in the territory prior to the occupation.
The Russian school curriculum imposed in occupied areas of Ukraine includes history textbooks that justify Russia’s invasion, portrays Ukraine under its current government as a “neo-Nazi state,” and strictly limits instruction in the Ukrainian language.
Mr Van Esveld added: “Russian authorities should ensure that education in occupied territories of Ukraine follows Ukrainian curricula and Ukrainian law.
“They should hold to account all occupation officials responsible for harassing, ill-treating, and putting undue pressure on Ukrainian education workers, students, and parents.”