The Forgotten Casualties: Why the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Matters

"Appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel's acts of aggression," the United Nations General Assembly on August 19, 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, decided to commemorate June 4 as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

According to the UN, the purpose was to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

"This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children. Its work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history,'' the UN writes.

The UN Secretary-General’s annual report on Children and Armed Conflict, covering January to December 2023, was published on 3 June 2024. It recorded 32,990 cases of serious violations against children in 26 conflict zones, representing a 35 per cent increase in violations compared to 2022.

The United Nations official website says, "Every day, children living in wars across the globe are facing unspeakable horrors. They are not safe sleeping in their homes or playing outside, learning in school or seeking medical care at hospitals."

From killing and maiming, abduction and sexual violence to attacks on education and health facilities, and the denial of the humanitarian assistance that they desperately need, children are being caught in the crosshairs of warring parties at a staggering scale, it added.

Also Read: Children of War: The Heaviest Coffins

The Graça Machel Report And General Assembly Resolution 51/77

In 1994, the UN appointed Graça Machel to study the impact of war on children. The study's findings are documented in a report (A/51/306). Machel's report highlighted the severe effects of war on children worldwide.

In response, the UN General Assembly took a significant step in 1997 by adopting Resolution 51/77 on the Rights of the Child. This resolution marked a major milestone in protecting children caught in conflict zones.

The UN Figures Indicate

Killing and Maiming: 11,649 children were killed (5,301) or maimed (6,348), the most widespread violation tracked, fueled mostly by explosive weapons in populated areas.

Recruitment and Use: 8,655 children were used or recruited by armed forces or groups.

Abductions: 4,356 children were abducted.

Sexual Violence: 1,470 children were subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Attacks on Schools and Hospitals: 2,250 attacks on educational and medical facilities, with 1,135 instances of military use of such locations.

Denial of Humanitarian Access: 3,896 incidents limited children's access to assistance.

UN's Mission To Ensure Children's Rights And Well-being

As per the UN, the 2030 Agenda is a global plan to create a better future for children. For the first time, it includes a specific goal (Target 16.2) to stop all violence against children. This plan also aims to end child abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Also Read: Children of War: Gaza's Lost Generation