© UNICEF/A. M. Elfatih Girls study in a partially destroyed classroom in Khartoum state, Sudan. UN Security Council: violence against children reaches record levels Peace and Security
A recent report by the UN Secretary General revealed an alarming shift: in 2025, government forces were responsible for more serious violations against children than non-state groups for the first time in 30 years of monitoring. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on this issue, Vanessa Fraser, recalled this when speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council on the topic of children and armed conflict.
“When states become the primary abusers of children’s rights, it demonstrates a dramatic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and an erosion of the principle that states have the primary responsibility for protecting their populations, including children,” Fraser said.
Consequences inaction
She stressed that the world community can no longer turn a blind eye to what is happening.
“Inaction is not the result of a lack of information. This is a conscious political choice,” said the Special Representative.
According to Fraser, the report’s data should cause a sense of shame for the Council and the entire international community. “This is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the mandate on children and armed conflict,” the UN spokeswoman said. In 2025, the Organization verified 38,558 gross violations against children in armed conflict, affecting 24,174 children, many of them repeatedly. violations in 2025 included killing and maiming, denial of humanitarian access and child recruitment. The report also documented alarming levels of abductions and sexual violence.
The highest levels of violations in 2025 were documented in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar and Somalia.
Concluding her speech, Vanessa Fraser read a message her office had received from a child: “Dear world leaders, I wish you could open your eyes and see what is happening in the world. What is happening to children in the world. If you really want to help, you need to do more than just talk, you also need to act.” “A school, hospital or water point should never be a battlefield,” she noted.
However, for millions of children living in conflict, this remains a daily reality. Behind the figure of 38,558 violations are real human destinies. Moreover, Russell stressed that a huge number of crimes are not reported at all due to security problems, restrictions on access, fear of people and the enormous difficulty of documenting violations where there is active fighting.
“These figures show that child protection measures under international law are being violated with increasing frequency and with ever more dire consequences,” said the head of UNICEF.
Commenting on the fact that state forces and associated structures have surpassed rebel groups in terms of violence for the first time, Russell said: “This finding should alarm every state in this country.” hall.”
According to her, it is states that have the basic responsibility for complying with legal norms. Authorities have a responsibility to monitor their regular troops, ensure they comply with international law, and investigate incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
Explosive Weapons and Sexual Violence
Russell also recalled that almost 70 percent of child casualties in 2025 involved the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. In addition to the direct casualties, the use of such weapons results in the destruction of schools, hospitals, water supplies and other vital infrastructure. Unexploded ordnance continues to kill and maim children years after the fighting ended.
Another alarming trend has been the increase in the number of children suffering from multiple violations at once. According to the UNICEF chief, many children are first victims of abduction or recruitment, and then subjected to sexual violence and other forms of abuse. The consequences are particularly severe for girls, for whom abduction often begins a long period of exploitation, abuse and social exclusion.
New technologies increase risks
Russell warned that the development of modern warfare, including the use of drones, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence technologies, poses additional threats to children. According to her, the constant presence of drones not only increases the risk of death and injury, but also has a serious psychological impact, depriving children of a sense of security.
Children do not start wars and cannot stop them. They are dying, suffering and bearing the consequences of conflict for decades
The Executive Director of UNICEF called on states to ensure that all parties to conflicts respect international law and strengthen the protection of schools, hospitals and other civilian sites. She also emphasized the need to view children associated with armed groups as victims first.
“Children do not start wars and cannot stop them. They die, suffer and suffer the consequences of conflict for decades,” Russell said. “We have a responsibility to create a world where war remains a matter for belligerents and children can grow, learn and dream in peace,” she added.