United Nations, United States

A concerning UN report claims to have found evidence of violence against children reaching "extreme levels" in armed conflicts — particularly in Gaza and Sudan — in 2023.

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The upcoming report obtained by AFP is the United Nations' annual "Children in Armed Conflict" report. 

"I am appalled by the dramatic increase in grave violations," wrote Secretary-General António Guterres in the report.

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Disturbing increase in violence

The report, prepared by Guterres and due for release on Thursday, highlights a 21 per cent increase in grave violations against children in 2023, totalling 30,705 verified violations. 

These included 5,301 killings, 6,348 injuries, 8,655 instances of child recruitment and use in conflicts, 5,205 denials of humanitarian access and 4,356 kidnappings.

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"In 2023, violence against children in armed conflict reached extreme levels, with a shocking 21 per cent increase in grave violations," said the report.

Findings of the report are unprecedented, said a senior UN official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

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"We've never verified so many violations against children as last year."

Last year, "children bore the brunt of multiplying and escalating crises that were marked by a complete disregard for child rights, notably the inherent right to life," said the report.

Blacklisted organisations

The report places a number of entities on the blacklist for "killing and maiming children, and for attacks on schools and hospitals."

This in Sudan includes the Sudanese army and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

The RSF was listed for recruiting children and committing "rape and other forms of sexual violence against children," alongside attacks on schools and hospitals.

Additionally, Hamas and the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad were added to the blacklist for the October 7 attack on Israel. The Israeli army was blacklisted for its retaliatory campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

The Russian army and "affiliated armed groups" also remain on the blacklist for killing 80 children in Ukraine in 2023 and injuring 339.

Sudan conflict and the children 

In Sudan, grave violations against children surged by "a staggering 480 per cent" from 2022 to 2023.

Israel-Hamas war and the children

The conflict in the Middle East saw a 155 per cent increase in grave violations against children. 

On October 7, 43 Israeli children were killed and an additional 47 Israeli children were abducted by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.

The retaliatory attack, as verified by the UN, has claimed the lives of 2,141 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, with 2,051 killed between October 7 and December 31.

Furthermore, 23,000 reports of grave violations against children are yet to be verified. This includes violations against 3,900 Israeli children and 19,887 Palestinian children. 

The report covers approximately 20 conflict zones worldwide, detailing the killing, injuring, recruitment, kidnapping, and sexual violence against children. It verified 30,705 "grave violations" committed last year, including during the Gaza war.

(With inputs from agencies)