International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2025; June 4th.

FORUM: “Advocating for the protection, safety and rights of all children.“ International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2025. Every day, in every country, girls and boys suffer and witness violence. Violence against children cuts across boundaries of culture, class, education, income and ethnic origin, and occurs in many different settings. Some of it is allowed by national laws and may be rooted in cultural, economic and social practices. This celebration for individuals and organizations is a time to reflect on the impact of children violence and abuse in all its forms. It is also a moment to take part in awareness campaigns centered on protecting children’s rights. The United Nations Secretary-General have identified 24 parties (5 states and 19 non-state actors) to conflict engaged with killing and maiming of children; 61 parties (7 states and 56 non-state actors) responsible for the recruitment or use of children as soldiers, 30 parties (4 states and 16 non-state parties) engaged responsible for perpetrating rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, 15 parties (1 state and 14 non-state) involved in abduction of children, 13 parties engaged in attacks against schools or hospitals. These are not the numbers you would expect to see in the 21st century, especially considering the work carried out in establishing international treaties which provide various fundamental human rights protections for children. However, as evidence shows, children continue to be targeted in conflict. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ChildViolence, #4june, #ChildVictimsDay, #childabuse, #ChildProtection.

EVENTS: On June 4th, from the UNHQ, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the United Nations Security Council ‘s Working group on Children and Armed Conflict; the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UNICEF, the UNODC, the UNICRI and several United Nations Specialized agencies, will organize a webinar to mark the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2025. This year marks the 43rd commemoration of the International Day. Forty two year ago, On 19 August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the United Nations General Assembly concerning the number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression, established a resolution to commemorate June 4th as International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The General assembly invites the member states; International organizations; regional organizations; Local authorities; Civil society, including faith-based organizations; academics and other experts; Social services, the media; Community members; Human rights defenders and individuals. The issue of Child abuse is now in the spotlight of global attention and the United Nations is working hard to help protect children around the world. One key factor is the process of international negotiation and action centered around the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Register to participate!

STATEMENTS: Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict on Humanitarian Access Imperatives in Gaza.

Preliminary observations and end of mission statement of the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children,Mama Fatima Singhateh.

Special Rapporteur says child rights-based approach and accountability key to combating child sexual abuse during crisis.

PUBLICATIONS: 

Presentation of the Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the Human Rights Council.

Release of new publication by the Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict Read the full report.

The United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children was a global effort to paint a detailed picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and to propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and respond to it. It was the first time that an attempt has been made to document the reality of violence against children around the world and to map out what is being done to stop it. Since 2003, many thousands of people contributed to the study through regional and expert consultations, through questionnaires and in other ways. Children and young people have been active at every level. Read the full World Report on Violence against Children in english or in spanish Informe mundial sobre violencia contra los niños y las niñas.

CALL FOR INPUT: To inform the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on the rights of the child and violations of the human rights of children in armed conflicts, to be presented at the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in September/ October 2025. Read the Call for inputs on the rights of the child and violations of the human rights of children in armed conflicts issued by the OHCHR.

1. DRC: UN Officials Raise Alarm at the Dramatic Impact of Prolonged Conflict on Women and Children, Including Increased Risk of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on Displaced People.
2. Burkina Faso: Children Bear the Brunt of the Intensification of the Armed Conflict, Despite Efforts by the Transitional Government.
3. Myanmar: Sharp Increase in Grave Violations Against Children.

LIVESTREAM: AI for Safer Children.

 

CAMPAIGN: Call for immediate action towards a safer internet Launched by the UN Special Rapporteur on sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.