Children are among those who bear “the heaviest toll” in the global rise of armed conflict and “the increasing acceptance of force as a means of resolving disputes,” a Vatican diplomat has told the United Nations. Source: OSV News.
“Too many children continue to suffer recruitment, maiming, abduction, and various forms of violence, with many tragically losing their lives,” Msgr Marco Formica, interim chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN, said.
Msgr Formica delivered a statement at the UN Security Council’s June 26 open debate on children and armed conflict.
On June 23, the UN released a new report on the issue, finding that in 2024, “violence against children in armed conflict reached unprecedented levels,” surging 25 per cent compared to 2023 — an increase the UN called “staggering.”
The agency said that “children bore the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks”, as well as the impact of disregarded ceasefires, broken peace agreements and “deepening humanitarian crises.”
The UN verified violations affected just under 22,500 children last year, with both non-state and state actors, who largely acted “with impunity,” demonstrating “a persistent and blatant pattern of grave violations and lack of respect of the special protections afforded to children” under international law.
The report found that “government forces were the main perpetrator of the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access.”
The “sharp rise” in multiple violations against children through abduction, military recruitment and sexual violence marked “an alarming escalation in brutality,” the UN said in its report.
The data also indicated the use of private security companies contributed to the violations against children’s safety, along with direct attacks on children, increasingly destructive weapons deployed in populated areas, terrorisation and psychological harm to children, and mass displacement.
“Such actions constitute a profound violation of the dignity with which they [children]) were endowed by God, and an unquestionable infringement of their fundamental right to life,” Msgr Formica said.
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Children bear ‘heaviest toll’ in growing global conflicts, says Vatican diplomat at UN (By Gina Christian, OSV News)
