It references in this regard the monitoring and reporting mechanism (MRM), which uses rigorous methodology to verify violations against children. A concept note that it has circulated ahead of the open debate highlights the importance of utilising existing tools to prevent grave violations against children and to strengthen accountability for such violations. The UK, July’s Council president, has decided to focus this year’s annual open debate on ways to prevent and respond to grave violations against children in armed conflict. It also removes India as a situation of concern, citing measures taken by the government to better protect children. Information about violations committed against children in these country situations will be included in the Secretary-General’s future reports.
This year’s annual report adds Haiti and Niger as situations of concern with immediate effect. It notes that the most violations took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Somalia, Ukraine, and Syria. The report records 27,180 grave violations against children in 24 country situations and one regional situation (the Lake Chad Basin), 2,880 of which occurred prior to 2022 but were only verified in 2022. The six grave violations are child recruitment and use killing and maiming abductions rape and other forms of sexual violence attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access. The Secretary-General’s annual report covers the period from January through December 2022 and provides information on the six grave violations against children in situations on the agenda of the Council, as well as in other situations of concern. Briefings are also expected from UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for programmes Omar Abdi and a child civil society representative. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba will present the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict, which was made public on 27 June. Tomorrow (5 July), the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on children and armed conflict. Children and Armed Conflict: Annual Open Debate
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