New york: The UN Security Council met on Thursday for an open debate on strengthening protections for children caught in armed conflict. The Secretary-General's latest report reveals that in 2025, soldiers and government forces were responsible for more grave violations against children in armed conflict than non-state armed groups, marking a first in 30 years of UN monitoring. The report verified 38,558 grave violations such as killing, recruitment, and abduction, affecting 24,174 children, many of whom suffered multiple violations.
According to Emirates News Agency, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, emphasized that the international community cannot claim ignorance of the ongoing violations against children in armed conflict. She stated that inaction is a deliberate political choice, rather than a result of ignorance, and highlighted that the Secretary-General's report should awaken the conscience of the Council, Member States, and the global community.
Frazier urged that the report should disrupt complacency, challenge euphemisms, and dispel any illusions about the harsh realities faced by children in conflict zones. She referred to the report as "an indictment of inaction" and a call to utilize existing tools to safeguard children. The UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, which verified the grave violations, recorded the highest number of affected children since the establishment of the Children and Armed Conflict mandate.
The report also noted the continued alarming levels of attacks on schools and hospitals, which not only threaten immediate lives but also have long-term effects by disrupting education, denying medical care, and undermining community resilience and recovery. Frazier called on all parties involved in conflicts to cease violations against children and adhere to international legal frameworks, including the Geneva Conventions and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
She stressed the importance of guaranteeing safe and unimpeded humanitarian access and protecting civilians and infrastructure. Furthermore, she urged accountability for perpetrators through national justice systems or international cooperation. Frazier concluded by advocating for the integration of child protection across peace, political, and security processes, including mediation, transitional justice, and post-conflict recovery.