UN Security Council: six grave violations against children in times of war

Children living in conflicted territories all over the world continue to come under attack on an enormous scale. According to UNICEF, between 2005 and 2020, more than 266,000 grave violations against children were verified. They were committed in more than 30 conflict situations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Even though armed forces and armed groups are required by international humanitarian law to take measures to protect civilians, many vulnerable groups, including children, are exposed to violations and abuses during times of war. The United Nations Security Council in its resolution has identified and condemned six grave violations against children in times of war: killing and maiming of children; recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups; attacks on schools or hospitals; rape or other grave sexual violence; abduction of children; and denial of humanitarian access for children. These violations, apart from putting children’s lives at risk during the conflict, can have long-term consequences on their lives in the future. 

UNICEF acts in order to address these problems. Apart from raising awareness, providing care, protection and longer-term assistance to children and their families, UNICEF has issued a call to action to protect children involved in armed conflicts. It is directed to governments, the UN Security Council, other organisations and people all over the world. Its main goals, besides ending grave violations, focus on upholding children’s rights in conflict, holding perpetrators of child rights violations accountable, keeping children and their communities safe, supporting recovery from the experiences of war and working towards inclusive and lasting peace.