Pakistan welcomes the UN decision to eliminate references in the children’s conflict report

Pakistan hosted on Friday a decision of the United Nations Secretary General to eliminate references to the country in the annual report on armed children and conflicts, qualifying him as recognition of Islamabad’s efforts to protect the rights of the child.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Pakistan described development as a “significant result” and a testimony of its “constructive, sustained and intensive commitment” with the United Nations, particularly the office of the special representative of the Secretary General for Children and the Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC).

The AU children and the armed conflict (CAAC) monitor six serious violations against children in conflict areas: kill and mutilate, recruitment and use of children, sexual violence, kidnapping, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.

The report, published on June 17, acknowledged the agreement between Pakistan and the United Nations on a child protection roadmap, formalized in June 2025 and urged its effective implementation.

While observing progress, the UN Secretary General expressed concern about serious violations reports, including attacks against schools, particularly girls’ schools, health workers and incidents along the Afghan border.

However, he added that, given the cooperation and preventive measures of Pakistan adopted under the agreement, the country would not be on the list in the next annual report.

“In view of the level of serious violations in Pakistan and the preventive measures adopted as agreed by the Government in June 2025 in cooperation with the United Nations to protect children, Pakistan’s situation will be eliminated from my next report,” said the Secretary General.

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The FO said that the decision reflects the international recognition of Pakistan’s legislative, institutional and policy commitment to protect and promote the rights and well -being of children while reaffirming the country’s commitment to align national frameworks with international standards and best practices in child protection.

Pakistan, he added, remains committed to close cooperation with the UN to guarantee a safer and brilliant future for children.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, in a statement about X, also welcomed the decision of the UN Secretary General, qualifying it as “a reflection of our sustained and constructive commitment and the unwavering commitment of Pakistan with child protection.”

He added: “It also marks a significant recognition of Pakistan’s national efforts to defend the rights of the child and guarantee their well -being. Pakistan remains committed to working with the United Nations and international partners to ensure a safer and more hopeful future for all children.

The report reveals serious violations against children

According to the United Nations report, violence against children in armed conflicts increased to record levels in 2024, with a 25% increase in tomb violations compared to the previous year.

The report, prepared after consultations and in line with resolution 2427 of the UN Security Council (2018), covers the period from January to December 2024. Description of trends in the impact of the armed conflict against children and includes a list of parts involved in violations such as recruitment and use, use and mutilation, sexual violence, kidnappings and attacks on schools and hospitals.

The UN verified 41,370 tomb rapes, including 36,221 that occurred in 2024 and 5,149 of previous years that were verified during the report period. At least 22,495 children were affected.

Among the most widespread violations were the murder and mutilation of children, with 4,676 killed children and 7,291 injured. Other tomb violations included 7,906 humanitarian access incidents, 7,402 cases of childhood recruitment and use and 4,573 kidnappings.

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The report also indicated that 3,018 children were arrested in 2024, often by the cases or real ties with armed groups, including those sanctioned by the UN Security Council, or for national security reasons, raising serious concerns about the violations of their rights.

The greatest number of violations was recorded in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (8,554), followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436) and Haiti (2,269). The highest percentage increases occurred in Lebanon (545%), Mozambique (525%), Haiti (490%), Ethiopia (235%) and Ukraine (105%).

Sexual violence against children increased by 35%, including a strong increase in cases of group violation. The report described sexual violence as deliberately used as a war tactic: terrorizing populations, affirming control over territory, displacing communities or children target based on ethnicity or gender.

The denial of humanitarian access also reached unprecedented levels in 2024. The report said that more humanitarian workers, including UN staff, were killed last year than never. The aid and staff convoys were attacked, humanitarian workers were arbitrarily arrested, and numerous bureaucratic and administrative barriers were imposed, which severely interrupted operations.

These actions left countless children without access to medical care, education, protection services or humanitarian aid that save life, according to the report.

The report has urged all parties to maintain their obligations under international law, including the International Law on Human and Human Rights, and respect the rights and special protections granted to children.