Serious increase in grave violations against children in 2023, the sustained protection of children in armed conflicts is needed more than ever
Annual Report of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly The Annual Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, presented today to the General Assembly, reveals that the evolving nature, expansion, and increasing complexity of armed conflicts has led to a significant rise in grave violations against children. The report, which covers the period from [...]
New Study Sheds Light on Linkages Between Child Trafficking and Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflict, Calls for Increased Prevention, Protection, Accountability GalleryNew Study Sheds Light on Linkages Between Child Trafficking and Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflict, Calls for Increased Prevention, Protection, Accountability
New Study Sheds Light on Linkages Between Child Trafficking and Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflict, Calls for Increased Prevention, Protection, Accountability
The proliferation of armed conflicts around the world puts children at an increased risk of grave violations while the risk of being trafficked similarly increases during armed conflict and transitional periods. Hence, a new study published today suggests using a trafficking framework to prevent, categorize, and respond to violations against children in armed conflict, including the six grave violations*, in an effort to increase synergy in prevention, protection, and accountability [...]
CAR: Important Milestone for the Protection of Children with Adoption of a Handover Protocol
La version française suit The Government of the Central African Republic and the United Nations signed the Handover Protocol on the Protection and Transfer of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups to Civilian Authorities, an important milestone for the protection of conflict-affected children that the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, welcomed. The Handover protocol applies to Government Forces, communities, and [...]
Lebanon and Israel: The Need for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), Virginia Gamba, is urgently drawing attention to the plight of children affected by the violence between Israel and Lebanon. Children have been killed, maimed and thousands have been displaced, with schools and medical facilities either closed, damaged, or destroyed, leaving their physical safety and well-being constantly under threat from the conflict. “When parties to a conflict are unable to [...]
Leaders Convene in Doha to Address the Escalating Crisis of Attacks on Education in Conflict Zones
Doha, Qatar/ New York, 10 September 2024 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, participated in the 5th observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, held on September 9, 2024, in Doha, Qatar. The event, organized by Education Above All (EAA) under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, brought together global leaders, educators, and advocates to [...]
Somalia: UN Officials Alarmed at Execution of Four Young People for Crimes Committed as Minor, Call for Release, Reintegration of Children in Detention GallerySomalia: UN Officials Alarmed at Execution of Four Young People for Crimes Committed as Minor, Call for Release, Reintegration of Children in Detention
Somalia: UN Officials Alarmed at Execution of Four Young People for Crimes Committed as Minor, Call for Release, Reintegration of Children in Detention
Press Statement: For Immediate Release The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child*, jointly call on Somalia to lift the imposition of the death penalty on any children and young adults sentenced to death for the conviction of crimes committed under the age of 18. Their joint statement is as follows: UN Experts are alarmed and strongly [...]
Nigeria: High level of insecurity in the North-East Region dramatically affecting children, despite concrete measures adopted by the Government
Children in north-east Nigeria continued to face heightened insecurity due to the presence of armed groups notably Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Bakura, which led to a significantly increase of grave violations compared with the previous reporting period, highlights a new report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Nigeria released today. The United Nations reports that [...]
Sudan: A rapid escalation of hostilities with disastrous consequences for children, including an imminent risk of famine
A rapid escalation of hostilities and widespread deterioration in the humanitarian situation led to a surge of grave violations against children, highlights the eighth report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict published today. The report documents that 2,168 grave violations against 1,913 children were verified between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023. This represents a shocking increase compared to the previous reporting period. Killing and maiming [...]
Marking International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: Launch of Report on Reintegration of Boy Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Colombia GalleryMarking International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: Launch of Report on Reintegration of Boy Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Colombia
Marking International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: Launch of Report on Reintegration of Boy Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Colombia
New York, June 19, 2024 – On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba, underscores the urgent need to address the pervasive and devastating impact of sexual violence on children in conflict zones worldwide. To mark this important day, her Office released a new report entitled Responding to conflict-related sexual violence against [...]
2023: Alarming levels of violence inflicted on children in situations of armed conflict
Annual Report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict New York, 11 June 2024 –In 2023, children living in conflict situations experienced violence in unbearable levels, shows a new report of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict published today. Children have been recruited and used including at the frontlines, attacked in their homes, abducted on their way to schools, their schools were military used and their [...]