You're reading: Ukraine orphans: A life trapped in care

When orphans in Ukraine reach adulthood, some are deemed "incapacitated" - a label that consigns them to a life in institutions. But many of these young people may have nothing wrong with them at all.

 It is an official classification in Ukraine that critics say strips the bearer of basic human rights.

Being labelled “incapacitated” means that when someone designated as such reaches the age of 18, rather than leaving residential care, they are sent to live in psychiatric institutions or old people’s homes.

They are even forbidden from living alone or marrying, and if they have children they too belong to the state.

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