International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2024; June 4th.

FORUM: "Advocating for the protection, safety and rights of all children." International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2024. This year observance will focus on the pain suffered by children who are victims of physical, mental, and emotional abuse worldwide. Ending and preventing grave violations against children is central to the mandate on children and armed conflict. The most effective way to protect children from hostilities is to eliminate the push and pull factors that lead to their involvement in armed conflict. 

EVENTS: On June 4th, the UNICEF, the UNHCR, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of the Child and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflicts will held a webinar to mark the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2024. 

This year we mark the 42nd commemoration. The observance was established by the United Nations General Assembly resolution on August 19, 1982. Its introduction arose in response to the atrocities perpetrated against Palestinian and Lebanese children. The main purpose of the day is to “acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse” and to affirm the United Nations commitment to the protection of the rights of children. In this regard, the work of the United Nations is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides for the protection of a child’s right to life (Article 6), protection from being separated from their parents against their will (Article 9), the right to education (Article 28), protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Article 34), protection from abduction of, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form (Article 35), protection from torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 37) and much more.

CAMPAIGN: Join  #ACTtoProtect, a global campaign to generate greater awareness and action to protect children affected by war. During three years the campaign will seek to prevent grave violations committed against children in times of conflict.