UN Press Conference: Record High Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflict

Alarming Rise in Child Violations

• 📈 2024 marked the worst year on record for children affected by armed conflict, with a 25% increase in grave violations.
• ⚠️ The total number of verified grave violations reached 41,370, the highest since the UN Children and Armed Conflict mandate began nearly 30 years ago.
• 💔 Behind these numbers are the shattered lives of 22,495 children, profoundly impacted by war, displacement, and collapsed protection systems.

Key Violations and Perpetrators

• 💥 The most prevalent violation was the killing and maiming of children, often due to explosive ordnance and anti-personnel landmines.
• 🚫 Denial of humanitarian access was the second most prevalent violation, with 7,960 incidents.
• 🧒 Recruitment and use of children in conflict was the third most prevalent, affecting 7,420 children.
• ⚖️ While non-state armed groups committed almost half of the violations, governmental forces were the principal perpetrators of killings, maiming, and attacks on schools and hospitals.

Areas of Deep Concern

• 🚨 Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the Gaza Strip, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, Nigeria, and Haiti, reported the highest levels of violations.
• 📈 There was a significant increase in attacks on schools (44%) and rape and other forms of sexual violence (35%).
• 🌍 The situation has severely deteriorated in contexts like Lebanon, Mozambique, and Haiti, with Haiti seeing over a 500% increase in grave violations.

Call to Action and International Law

• 🕊️ The Special Representative urged parties to conflict to end wars and prioritize peace negotiations over military means.
• 🆘 There is a critical need to ensure safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to civilians, especially in Gaza.
• 📜 All parties must uphold the core principles of International Humanitarian Law: humanity, distinction, proportionality, and necessity.

Reintegration and Future Efforts

• 🤝 The UN supported nearly 16,500 children formally associated with armed forces or groups in 2024, bringing the total released since 2005 to over 200,000.
• 🌱 Sustainable and predictable support for reintegration programs is crucial for the future of these children.
• 📢 The report serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need to redouble efforts, secure resources, and ensure child protection frameworks are preserved during UN transitions.