“Children in the region continue to suffer the devastating impact of protracted conflicts, community violence, landmines and remnants of war, as well as political and social unrest in a number of countries countries,” the UN agency said, including in Iran, Iraq, Libya and Sudan. , Syria, Yemen, Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Before marking the passage Convention on the Rights of the Childon Sundays World Children’s Day, UNICEF has sounded the alarm that nearly 580 children have been killed in conflicts or violence across the MENA region this year, along with many others injured.
The case at point
Just this week, two young girls were found brutally murdered in the Al-Hol camp for evacuees, many of them family members of veterans of terrorism, in the South. northern Syria – this is just the latest act of terrible violence there.
And while a UN-backed ceasefire in Yemen has greatly reduced the intensity of the conflict and the number of victims, it expired last month – again leaving children vulnerable. into sight.
Conflict in the Blue Nile and West Kordofan states also leaves children in Sudan vulnerable and subject to violence.
Terrorism in Iran
At the same time, UNICEF remains deeply concerned by reports of children being killed, injured and detained in Iran.
Despite the lack of official data, as of late September an estimated 50 children have been killed in public unrest there.
The latest horrifying loss is that of 10-year-old Kiyan, who was shot to death while in a car with his family.
“This is scary and must stopspelled out UNICEF.
A heavy price
Meanwhile, earlier this week, a 14-year-old Palestinian girl was murdered near Ramallah – bringing the number of children killed in Palestine to 49 since the start of the year.
And violence in Tripoli earlier this year claimed the lives of at least three children in Libya.
Furthermore, in Iraq, landmines from previous conflicts continue to put children’s lives at risk, killing and injuring 65 children this year.
UNICEF warns children continue to pay a heavy price for violence and conflict.
The UN agency reminds that the Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out a common set of standards for all countries to adhere to – including the principle of non-discrimination; The best interests of children are the primary concern in all actions related to children; and most importantly their right to life.
States parties to the Covenant have an obligation to protect children in the face of conflict and violence and to ensure their inherent right to life.
“Children’s right to protection from violence must always be supported by all parties to conflict,” UNICEF said. “Violence is never a solution, and violence against children can never be excused.”
Migrant children walk outside a detention center in Tripoli, Libya.
