Violence against children has reached alarming levels in various conflict zones around the world in 2024, from Gaza in Palestine to the Republic of Congo in Africa.
This information was revealed in an annual report by the United Nations on Thursday (June 19).
According to a report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the level of violence against children in armed conflicts increased at an unprecedented rate in 2024. And serious violence incidents increased by 25 percent compared to 2023.
The report said that 41,370 serious violence incidents against children were documented in 2024. Of these, 36,221 occurred in 2024. The remaining 5,149 were from the previous year, but were verified this year. This is the highest in the last 30 years.
2023 also saw a record in violence against children, but the following year, however, surpassed that record. Violence increased by 21 percent compared to the previous year in 2024.
The report also said that in 2024, more than 4,500 children were killed and at least 7,000 injured in armed violence. It is also claimed that children are currently the main victims of indiscriminate attacks and violence. In addition, many children have been victims of multiple acts of violence. The number of such victims has reached 22,495.
Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, said that 22,495 children who should now be in school or playing in the field are today learning how to survive under gunfire and bombs. The cries of these children are like taking away sleep at night for all of us.
She also said that this should be a warning signal for us. Because we have reached the brink of a crisis.
Every year, the UN publishes a list of violations of the rights of children under the age of 18 in about 20 conflict zones around the world.
The report’s appendix includes the so-called ‘list of shame’, where the names of those responsible for violence against children are published. A Haitian armed gang alliance has been added to the list this year. They are accused of serious crimes such as the killing and mutilation of children, recruitment into armed violence, kidnapping, denial of humanitarian assistance and sexual violence.
The Israeli armed forces and the Palestinian armed group Hamas are also on this year’s list.
Source: AFP.