UN: Record-Breaking Number of Grave Violations Against Children in Armed Conflicts

Welat TV – Erbil

A new report by the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict has revealed that 2024 witnessed the highest number of grave violations against children in armed conflicts in nearly three decades.

According to the report, released on Friday, June 20, 2025, the UN verified 41,370 grave violations against children in conflict zones last year—the highest figure since the creation of the UN mandate on children and armed conflict in 1996.

This marks a 25% increase compared to 2023, indicating a worrying decline in child protection for the third consecutive year.

The report stressed that indiscriminate attacks, the disregard for ceasefire agreements and peace accords, worsening humanitarian crises, and the systematic violations of international law and child protection norms by all conflict parties have severely undermined the safety of children in hostilities.

It further noted that ongoing wars around the world continue to kill, maim, starve, or subject children to sexual violence.

Violations Against Children in Syria

The UN verified nearly 1,300 grave violations involving 1,205 children in Syria, most of which occurred in previous years.

The UN Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and credible political process, led and owned by Syrians, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015)—a process that must include child protection provisions.

He also urged interim Syrian authorities to ensure compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, to release children associated with armed actors, and to facilitate reintegration programs in coordination with the UN.