Violence against children reached “extreme level” in 2023 – U.N. report
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A new report by the United Nations said that violence against children in various conflicts around the world reached extreme levels in 2023, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday.
The annual U.N. report on Children in Armed Conflict obtained by AP on Tuesday, reported “a shocking 21% increase in grave violations” against children under the age of 18 in various conflicts, highlighting countries such as Congo, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Syria.
There has been a significant increase in the number of children being killed and injured in conflicts in different countries such as Israel and the Palestinian territories, Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine, according to the report.
For the first time, a U.N. report has included Israeli forces on a list of countries that violate children’s rights.
By the end of 2023, U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said that the U.N. had confirmed 1,721 serious violations committed against 1,526 children.
He expressed his disapproval at the significant rise in violations, particularly the involvement of children in activities like recruitment, killing, and injuring, as well as sexual violence, and attacks on schools and medical facilities.