The law must protect those who cannot protect themselves. November 20 is Children's Day. This date compels us not just to talk about safety. It forces us to face the truth. And the truth today is harsh: current legislation is ineffective in protecting children. This is not just a theoretical problem — it is the cause of real tragedies that could have been avoided. In the conditions of a full-scale war, children have become even more vulnerable. They are dying from rockets and drones, going through occupation, deportations, and surviving under shelling. But even in the rear, they remain defenseless against those who can harm them.
When the country is fighting for the life of every child, the law must be strict in protecting the youngest. The statistics this year are a serious warning: 2377 children have been involved in criminal proceedings; 652 have become victims of crimes against life and health, many of them victims of intentional murder; 120 children have been raped. However, courts have issued only 12 life sentences. In other cases, sentences of 7-15 years have been imposed. And some criminals may be released even earlier due to parole.
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An eight-month-old boy. An infant who has not even taken his first steps. A drunken cohabitant of the mother beat the child to death. The court gave him 15 years.
We will appeal this verdict. The regional prosecutor will uphold justice in court in memory of this child. But this is not the only case. This is a consequence of a system that does not distinguish the degree of vulnerability of the victim and does not impose sufficient responsibility. It should not be like this. My position is clear: the law must be changed.
In October, I appealed to the Committee on Law Enforcement Activities of the Verkhovna Rada with proposals to establish life imprisonment in certain cases: intentional murder of a child; rape of a person under 14 regardless of 'consent'; rape of a child. These changes are not about cruelty. It is about justice, about the inevitability of punishment, about a clear signal to criminals: for encroaching on the life or dignity of a child, they will not get a second chance.
The law is designed to protect all citizens without exception. Children need special attention and protection, as they are the most helpless and vulnerable members of society. Strict measures must be taken against crimes against children to prevent tragedies and ensure the safety of young citizens. Particular attention should be paid to adopting and amending laws concerning children to ensure their adequate protection and justice.