A recent United Nations report has shed light on the escalating levels of violence against children in various conflict zones around the world. The report, focusing on Children in Armed Conflict, revealed a shocking 21% increase in grave violations against children under the age of 18 in regions such as Israel, the Palestinian territories, Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
Notably, the report included Israeli forces on the list of countries violating children's rights for incidents involving the killing and maiming of children, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals. Similarly, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants were also listed for the first time for their actions against children.
The conflict between rival generals in Sudan led to a staggering 480% increase in grave violations against children, with both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces being blacklisted for their roles in the violence.
Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the 1,721 verified grave violations against 1,526 children by the end of 2023. He highlighted the recruitment, killing, and maiming of children, as well as sexual violence and attacks on essential facilities as major areas of concern.
The report also detailed the situation in Myanmar, where a 123% increase in grave violations against children was recorded. The Myanmar armed forces and affiliated militias, along with seven armed groups, were included in the blacklist for their actions.
While armed groups were responsible for nearly half of the grave violations, government forces were identified as the main perpetrators of various offenses against children, including attacks on schools and hospitals.
Guterres attributed the rise in violations to the changing nature and intensity of armed conflicts, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and a blatant disregard for international law. He called for immediate action to address these violations and protect children caught in conflict zones.
Despite the concerning trends, the report highlighted progress in engaging with blacklisted governments and armed groups to safeguard children. Over 10,600 children associated with armed forces or groups received protection or reintegration support in 2023.
The UN chief welcomed efforts by certain governments, including Israel and Russia, to develop action plans to address violations and protect children in conflict zones. The international community continues to work towards ending grave violations against children and ensuring their safety in times of conflict.
