UN reports “38,558 grave violations against children” during open debate at Security Council

United Nations, New York City

Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali

United Nations officials warned the Security Council that children continue to be killed, maimed, recruited, abducted, and denied humanitarian assistance with impunity, as verified grave violations against children in armed conflict reached their highest level since the creation of the Children and Armed Conflict mandate.

Briefing ambassadors on Thursday, Vanessa Frazier, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, reported that the United Nations verified 38,558 grave violations against children in 2025, affecting 24,174 children worldwide.

According to Frazier, the highest levels of violations were recorded in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.

The Special Representative also highlighted a troubling shift in modern warfare, noting that, for the first time, government forces and affiliated actors were responsible for more grave violations against children than non-State armed groups.

Government forces were identified as the primary perpetrators of the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access.

Describing the development as “a profound and deeply troubling shift,” Frazier warned that the growing use of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in warfare could further increase harm to children if not accompanied by meaningful human oversight.

Addressing the Council, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell underscored the devastating reality facing children trapped in conflict.

“A school, hospital, or water point should never be a battlefield,” Russell said.

Behind the 38,558 verified violations are children killed and maimed, recruited and used by armed forces and armed groups, abducted, subjected to sexual violence, denied humanitarian assistance, and deprived of education, healthcare, and protection.

“These figures show that protections for children under international law are being violated more often and at greater cost,” she said.

Russell further warned that government forces and affiliated actors now account for more grave violations against children than non-State armed groups.

“This finding should alarm every Member State represented in this chamber,” she added.

Outlining recommendations, Russell urged Member States to use their influence to ensure all parties adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law.

“No one can plead ignorance of the impact of war on children,” she said.

She also called on all parties to protect children, end attacks against education, and ensure accountability for violations, while urging the Security Council to strengthen the Children and Armed Conflict agenda.

“Children do not start wars, and they are powerless to stop them,” Russell concluded. “We owe them a world where war is left to combatants and children are free to grow and learn and dream in peace.”