un secretary general children and armed conflict

Attacks or threats of attacks on community and civic leaders, on human rights defenders and on monitors of and violations against children is a cause for concern and a strain on the monitoring capacity. The report presents trends and patterns of violations, in order to effect a change in behaviour by parties, contribute to facilitating engagement with parties responsible for violations, promote accountability and include child protection issues in peace processes.

The information presented does not represent the full scale of violations against children, as verification depends on access. Where incidents were committed earlier but only verified in 2019, that information is qualified as relating to an incident that was verified at a later date. Where information is not verified, it is qualified as such. The information contained in the present report was vetted for accuracy by the United Nations.

Where possible, violations are attributed to parties to conflict and the annexes to the present report include a list of parties engaging in violations against children, namely the recruitment and use of children, the killing and maiming of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence against the abduction of children, attacks on schools, hospitals and protected personnel, children.

The present report, prepared following consultations and covering the period from January to December 2019, is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2427 (2018) and presents trends regarding the impact of armed conflict on children and information on violations committed.

Un secretary general children and armed conflict