Published on: 2026-06-25
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
June 24, 2026 Peace and Security
A recent UN Secretary-General report revealed a disturbing shift: in 2025, government forces for the first time in 30 years of monitoring were responsible for a greater number of serious violations against children than non-state armed groups. This was stated by the UN Security Council’s open debate on children and armed conflict, as reminded by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on this issue, Vanessa Fraser.
“When states become the main violators of children’s rights, it testifies to a dramatic neglect of international humanitarian law and norms in the field of human rights, as well as the erosion of the principle according to which states bear the primary responsibility for protecting their population, including children,” Fraser noted.
Consequences of inaction
She emphasized that the world community can no longer close its eyes to what is happening.
“Inaction is not the result of lack of information. It is a conscious political choice,” said the Special Representative.
In Frazer’s opinion, the data from the report should cause the Council and the entire international community to feel shame. “This is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the mandate on children and armed conflict,” said the UN representative. In 2025, the Organization confirmed 38,558 gross violations against children in the context of armed conflicts, affecting 24,174 children, many of whom were repeatedly affected.
Scale of the tragedy
Frazer also reminded that the most common serious violations in 2025 were murder and infliction of injuries, denial of humanitarian access, and recruitment of children. The report also recorded an alarming level of searches and sexual violence.
The highest levels of violations in 2025 were documented in the occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.
Concluding her speech, Vanessa Freyzer read out a message from a child, received by her office: “Dear world leaders, I want you to open your eyes and see what is happening in the world. What is happening with children in the world. If you really want to help, you need not just to talk, you also need to act.”
Schools are not a battlefield
In her speech, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell reminded about the basic norms that are now widely ignored in combat zones. “A school, hospital, or water distribution point should never be a battlefield,” she noted.
However, for millions of children living in conflict conditions, this remains an everyday reality. Behind the figure of 38,558 violations are real human destinies. Moreover, Russell emphasized that a huge number of crimes do not appear in reports at all due to security problems, limited access, people’s fear, and colossal difficulties in documenting violations where active fighting is taking place.
“These figures show that the measures to protect children stipulated by international law are increasingly being violated, with even more serious consequences,” said the head of UNICEF.
Commenting on the fact that state forces and affiliated structures for the first time surpassed rebel groups in terms of violence, Rassel emphasized: “This conclusion should alarm every state in this hall.”
According to her, the basic responsibility for compliance with legal norms lies precisely with the state. Authorities are obliged to control their regular troops, guarantee their observance of international law, as well as investigate incidents and hold the guilty parties accountable.
Explosives and sexual violence
Russell also reminded that almost 70 percent of child casualties in 2025 were associated with the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. In addition to direct victims, the use of such weapons leads to the destruction of schools, hospitals, water supply systems, and other vital infrastructure. Unexploded ordnance continues to kill and maim children years after the end of hostilities.
Another worrying trend has been the increase in the number of children suffering from multiple violations at once. According to the head of UNICEF, many children first become victims of trafficking or recruitment, and then are subjected to sexual violence and other forms of cruel treatment. The consequences are particularly severe for girls, for whom trafficking often marks the beginning of a prolonged period of exploitation, violence, and social isolation.
New technologies increase risks
Russell warned that the development of modern methods of warfare, including the use of drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence technologies, creates additional threats to children. According to her, the constant presence of drones not only increases the risk of death and injuries but also has a serious psychological impact, depriving children of a sense of security.
Children do not start wars and cannot stop them. They perish, suffer, and bear the consequences of conflicts for decades.
The Executive Director of UNISEF called on states to ensure compliance with international law by all parties to conflicts and to strengthen the protection of schools, hospitals, and other civilian objects. She also emphasized the need to consider children associated with armed groups primarily as victims.
“Children do not start wars and cannot stop them. They perish, suffer, and bear the consequences of conflicts for decades,” said Rasse. “We must create a world in which war remains the business of the warring parties, and children can grow, learn, and dream in conditions of peace,” she added.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.