Violence against children in armed conflicts reached “extreme levels” in 2023, with a “shocking” increase in serious violations of children’s rights, even with missing data regarding the Gaza Strip, according to the annual report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (photo above by Giles Clarke for UNOCHA).
“In 2023, violence against children in the context of armed conflicts reached extreme levels, with a shocking 21% increase in serious violations”, the report states, and it is expected to be officially released on Thursday.
It refers to 30,705 confirmed violations committed last year.
The Secretary-General’s annual report covers violations of children’s rights (under 18 years old) in approximately 20 conflict zones worldwide and includes annexes detailing these violations – killings and maiming of children, forced recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, etc.
In 2023, children were the first to be afflicted by the multiplication and escalation of crises, marked by an absolute disregard for children’s rights, above all the right to life, the report emphasises.
It specifically highlights that the war in Israel and the Palestinian territories led to violations of children’s rights on an unprecedented scale and intensity (+155%).
‘List of Shame’
In this context, the Israeli military, as well as Hamas, have been added to the ‘list of shame’ annexed to the report. This information has already been leaked since last week.
The situation is equally dire in Sudan, with an incredible 480% increase in the number of serious violations of children’s rights.
As a result, the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), involved in the April 2023 war, have been added to the ‘list of shame’ by the Secretary-General.
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