New York, 4 June 2022 (TDI): Antonio Guterres gave remarks on the importance of protecting the rights of children during conflicts on the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
United Nations Director-General Antonio Guterres remarked that disregarding children’s rights at times of conflict is shocking and heartbreaking. We must do everything we can to protect children from the chaos and madness of wars that have nothing to do with them.
The disregard for children’s rights at times of conflict is shocking and heartbreaking.
We must do everything we can to protect children from the chaos and madness of wars that have nothing to do with them.
Children are #NotATarget.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 4, 2022
In addition, he emphasized that children must not be a target. Children are the most affected by war and armed conflicts.
For this purpose, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) operates over 190 countries and war zones to save children’s lives.
UNICEF advocates for children’s rights and fosters children in their developmental stage from early childhood to adolescence to enhance their potential.
Subsequently, the organization works closely with partners worldwide to promote policies and expand access to services that protect children.
Children are among the most affected by the consequences of war & armed conflict.
On Saturday’s Int’l Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, see how @UNICEF is helping protect children around the world: https://t.co/KuR4QZR6Re pic.twitter.com/MnmcqxCzlP
— United Nations (@UN) June 4, 2022
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
Each year the International day of innocent children’s victims of Aggression is celebrated on 4 June.
Commemorating this day is to bring awareness of the lack of a suitable, friendly, and nurturing environment for the children, especially during the war and in conflict zones.
The geopolitical disputes and war have profound impacts on the vulnerable civilians of the country. The situation becomes dire when both parties indulge in a war against each other.
Out of all vulnerable groups, children are the most affected fraction of the consequences of war.
Consequently, the atrocious events and sociopolitical pressure coupled with non-state actors lead to violations and Aggression.
Research indicates that the recruitment and use of children in war, sexual violence, killing, attacks on schools, abduction, and denial of humanitarian access are the most common violations against children.
Background
In August 1982, the dreadful situation of Palestinian children led to an emergency special session in the UN General Assembly. The session was appalled at the number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese child victims of Israel’s acts of Aggression.
Furthermore, UNGA commemorated 4 June as the International Day of Children Victims of Aggressions.
Meanwhile, the annual commemoration of this day aims to acknowledge the pain suffered by the children throughout the world in physical, mental, and emotional abuse.
Guided by the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the UN commemorates this day to affirm its commitment to protecting children’s rights.
Most importantly, the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 provides a roadmap to safeguard children under a specific target of 16.2. The target aims to cease abuse, exploitation, trafficking, torture, and other forms of violence against children.
Violations against children
Meanwhile, violations against children in the conflict zone have drastically increased. 250 million children live in conflict zones and are exposed to the continued threat from violent extremists, armed groups, human trafficking, and sexual and mental abuse.
Therefore, the need of the time is to promote international humanitarian law to ensure accountability for such violations against children.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has threatened the lives of 7.5 million children. Presently, the country is facing an acute shortage of critical lifesaving supplies.
Nearly two hundred children have already lost their lives. On the other hand, almost thirteen thousand children lost their lives during the Syrian Civil war.
Consequently, Thousands of children are dying due to conflict-induced poverty, malnutrition, lack of sanitation, and the ailing healthcare sector.
Today in Ukraine and across the region is International Day for the Protection of Children.
But instead of celebrating, Ukrainian children are living through devastating violence and fear. pic.twitter.com/YjRo3Uw5GE
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) June 1, 2022
