New York: Europe and the Arabs

For the third consecutive year, grave violations against children in the context of armed conflict reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with similar alarming patterns expected to continue throughout 2025. The global decline in humanitarian funding has also negatively impacted child protection and the UN's ability to investigate and respond to grave violations.

This was stated in a new report presented to the Human Rights Council by Vanessa Fraser, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, according to the UN Daily News, a copy of which was received Tuesday morning.

The report stated that multidimensional conflicts, the emergence of new armed actors, and the use of new technologies continue to severely undermine the protection of children.

Fraser said that every grave violation against children is tantamount to depriving a child of a fundamental right. She added, "Children must never be targeted or abused under any circumstances. I call on all parties to conflict to abide by international law to ensure the protection of all children's rights." The report documents the continuation of grave violations in 2025, including killing and maiming, recruitment and exploitation, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the obstruction of humanitarian access.

Obstruction of humanitarian access to children has had devastating consequences for millions of children, particularly in Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Killing and maiming of children
In 2024, killing and maiming remained among the most widespread violations. Children were killed and maimed by explosive weapons and died of starvation, including in the Gaza Strip and Sudan.

Vanessa Fraser expressed grave concern about the continued escalation of killings and maiming of children, including through the use of explosive weapons.

She urged States to ratify and implement international legal instruments relating to these weapons, including antipersonnel mines and cluster munitions.

30th anniversary of the Office
As the 30th anniversary of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict approaches, the report also highlights the progress made in the UN’s ongoing engagement with parties to conflict. Positive developments have been recorded in various contexts, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, and Ukraine.

These developments include the release and reintegration of children, the adoption of protocols for the transfer of children associated with armed forces to civilian authorities, and the issuance of military orders to end the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes.

As this anniversary approaches, Vanessa Fraser stressed the need to remain committed to changing the reality for children affected by armed conflict, stating that "protecting children's rights requires renewed determination and collective action."