Pakistan hosts the UN’s decision to remove references in the children’s conflict report

On Friday, Pakistan hosted a decision by the United Nations Secretary General to withdraw references to the country in the annual report on children and armed conflicts, calling it a recognition of Islamabad’s efforts to protect the rights of the child.

In a press release published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Pakistan described the development of “significant result” and a testimony of its “constructive, supported and intensive commitment” with the United Nations, in particular the office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for children and armed conflicts (SRSG-CAAC).

The agenda of children and armed conflicts (CAAC) monitors six serious violations against children in conflict zones: kill and mutilate, recruitment and use children, sexual violence, abduction, attacks against schools and hospitals, and the refusal of humanitarian access.

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

While noting progress, the UN Secretary General has expressed concerns about serious violation reports, including school attacks – in particular 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 listed in the next annual report.

“Given the level of serious violations in Pakistan and the preventive measures adopted, agreed by the government in June 2025 in cooperation with the United Nations to protect children, the situation of Pakistan will be withdrawn from my next report,” noted the secretary general.

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

Pakistan, he added, remains determined to close cooperation with the UN to ensure a safer and brighter future for children.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, in a declaration on X, also welcomed the decision of the UN Secretary General, judging him “reflecting our sustained and constructive commitment and the unwavering commitment of Pakistan to child protection”.

He added: “This also marks significant recognition of the national efforts of Pakistan to maintain the rights of the child and ensure their well-being. Pakistan remains determined to work with the United Nations and international partners to guarantee 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 reached record levels in 2024, with a 25% increase in serious violations compared to the previous year.

The report, prepared after consultations and in accordance with resolution 2427 (2018) of the United Nations Security Council, covers the period from January to December 2024. It describes the trends in the impact of armed conflicts on children and includes a list of parties involved in violations such as recruitment and use, murder and mutilation, sexual violence, abductions and attacks in schools and Hospitals.

The UN checked 41,370 serious violations, including 36,221 that occurred in 2024 and 5,149 of the previous years which were verified during the reference period. At least 22,495 children were affected.

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

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The report also noted that 3,018 children had been held in 2024, often for alleged or real links with armed groups – including those sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council – or for reasons of national security, raising serious concerns concerning the violations of their rights.

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

Sexual violence against children has increased by 35%, including a sharp increase in gang rape cases. The relationship has described sexual violence as being used deliberately as a war tactic – to terrorize populations, assert control of the territory, move communities or target children according to ethnic or sex origin.

The denial of humanitarian access also reached unprecedented levels in 2024. The report indicates that more humanitarian workers, including UN staff, were killed last year than ever. The convoys of aid and the staff have been attacked, the humanitarian workers were arbitrarily detained and numerous bureaucratic and administrative barriers were imposed, seriously disturbing the operations.

These actions have left countless children without access to health care, education, protective services or vital humanitarian aid, according to the report.

The report has urged all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights, and to respect the rights and special protections granted to children.