UNICEF welcomes the repatriation of 64 Kyrgyzstani children from Syria
Statement by Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia
BISHKEK/GENEVA, 30 August 2023 - "UNICEF welcomes the repatriation of 95 Kyrgyzstani citizens including 64 children and 31 mothers from Syria under the “AiKol” Mission. UNICEF commends the Government of Kyrgyzstan to fulfill its commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and facilitate the reintegration of children and their mothers with their families and communities at the earliest possible time.
"Under our mandate to uphold children’s rights and building on our expertise in supporting children and families affected by armed conflict, UNICEF has supported the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in this humanitarian operation and will continue supporting the full reintegration of these children and their mothers into their families and communities.
"The commendable actions of Kyrgyzstan in repatriating these children are sadly the exception, not the norm. We stand by our message to all governments across Europe and Central Asia to put the best interests of children at the heart of all decisions related to repatriation."
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