Holy See Alarmed by Surge in Child Abuse in Armed Conflict
The Holy See has expressed grave concern over the escalating violence against children in armed conflict. In 2024, the number of verified violations surged by 25%, reaching an alarming 41,370 cases worldwide. The Holy See urges the U.N. to prioritize the protection of these vulnerable children.
Government forces were the primary perpetrators, committing atrocities such as killing and maiming children, attacking schools and hospitals, and denying humanitarian access. The U.N. verified violations affecting nearly 22,500 children last year, demonstrating a 'persistent and blatant pattern of grave violations'.
The states causing the highest numbers of these violations were predominantly associated with the Gaza Strip and Sudan, where UNICEF reported massive child suffering and humanitarian crises. Acute malnutrition affected over 320,000 children in Gaza alone. Children are not only killed and injured but also abducted, recruited into militias, and subjected to sexual violence. Even schools, hospitals, and places of worship are targeted, further traumatizing children and disrupting essential services.
The Holy See calls for unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for these affected children and urges an end to the use, production, and stockpiling of indiscriminate weapons in populated areas. It emphasizes that children bear 'the heaviest toll' in the global rise of armed conflict and the increasing acceptance of force as a means of resolving disputes. The U.N. must ensure that the protection of these children remains a core priority.
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