Virginia Gamba, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, addressed the Human Rights Council on Wednesday, emphasizing the critical need to uphold the rights of every child, especially in conflict zones.

She highlighted the alarming increase in grave violations last year, especially in Haiti and Niger. 

“I am particularly concerned over the relapse into or escalation of conflicts marked by serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the use of explosive weapons in strikes that have hit civilians, protected personnel and infrastructure…notably in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar, Sudan and Ukraine as well as in the central Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions.”

Some successes

On a positive note, Ms. Gamba highlighted successful engagements with parties to conflict, including the signing of action plans in Iraq and Ukraine to prevent violations.

She encouraged collaboration with the Human Rights Council, regional organizations like the Leagues of Arab States and the African Union and the European Union to address the protection of children.

Ms. Gamba called on the international community to reaffirm their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and integrate children’s rights into responses to global crises.

Source: UN News

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147567