UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Fraser has completed a five-day tour of Ukraine. The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict completed her trip to Ukraine Peace and Security
UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Fraser completed a five-day tour of Ukraine, during which she discussed with the country’s leadership and humanitarian partners the protection of children affected by war.
This was her first visit to the country as a special envoy. The trip took place against the backdrop of ongoing attacks that are resulting in the death of children. “After more than four years of war, the children of Ukraine continue to bear its heaviest burden. Their fundamental rights are violated every day,” Fraser said. According to her, attacks on civilian infrastructure are destroying schools, hospitals, water and heating systems, depriving children of access to vital services. The visit began with meetings with children affected by the conflict. Fraser also held talks with the First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya, Foreign Minister Andrei Sibiga, Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets, Minister of Social Policy and Family Unity Denis Ulitin, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Security Service of Ukraine, UN agencies, local authorities and representatives of civil society in the frontline areas.
Risks for children and the need for systemic protection
The Special Representative expressed concern about cases of children being involved in the context of war, including through social networks. She stressed that children accused of crimes should be held in accordance with international juvenile justice standards, and detention should only be used as a last resort. Fraser visited a shelter school in Kharkov and an underground child protection center in Zolochiv, created with the support of UNICEF. She noted the importance of continuing to support education, psychosocial support and comprehensive child protection services in conflict settings. “Children spoke about their right to education, a desire for peace and a desire to live without fear,” Fraser said. As part of the global Prove it Matters campaign, Ukrainian students from approximately 1,800 schools wrote more than 6,500 messages of peace on paper cranes. Fraser called on Ukraine to reconsider its decision to suspend participation in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and asked international donors to expand support for mine clearance and explosive ordnance training programs.