Translated with AI
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif has warned of a rapid increase in child rights violations in conflict zones and called on states to take urgent measures to protect and rehabilitate victims.
She made this statement at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
According to her, the harm war inflicts on children is physical, psychological, and social, and impacts their development. She emphasized that the situation is exacerbated by gross violations of international humanitarian law.
According to Al-Nashif, parties to armed conflicts are increasingly using explosive weapons in densely populated areas, forcibly recruiting children, and resorting to sexual violence as a tactic of war.
The UN has recorded a sharp increase in cases of sexual violence against children. According to the organization, the number of such incidents will almost double between 2021 and 2024.
She also cited the situation in Sudan as an example. According to her, at least 223 child victims were documented there in 2025 alone. However, Al-Nashif emphasized that the actual figures could be significantly higher.
The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that child survivors of violence have the right to support and justice. She noted that some states have already adopted laws aimed at assisting victims and have established reintegration programs for children previously held for their association with armed groups.
According to the UN, since 2000, thanks to the organization's efforts, more than 210,000 children and adolescents have been released from armies and armed groups.
At the same time, Al-Nashif noted that crimes against children committed during armed conflicts are rarely investigated. Furthermore, long-term psychosocial support and reintegration programs remain chronically underfunded.
In her speech, she outlined four key areas of action: conducting independent investigations into all violations; recognizing children associated with armed groups as victims and ending their arbitrary detention; allocating resources for long-term rehabilitation, education and health care; and involving children in justice processes.
"Children are not just victims. They must have a voice in shaping their own lives," Al-Nashif emphasized.
Concluding her speech, she stated that war is “the highest form of violation of children’s rights.”
"We're abandoning children to their fate instead of helping them. We need to change that," she said.
