Country: Ukraine Source: UN Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), has concluded a five-day mission to Ukraine, where she engaged with senior government officials and other stakeholders on strengthening the protection of war affected children. This was USG Frazier’s first visit to Ukraine in her capacity as CAAC Special Representative, which was marked by continued attacks killing and injuring children, a tragic reminder of the war’s profound harm on children. “After more than four years, children in Ukraine continue to bear the heaviest burden of this war,” said USG Frazier. “Their most fundamental rights are being violated daily. Beyond the killing and maiming, attacks on civilian infrastructure have devastated schools, hospitals, water and heating systems, impacting access to the essential services that children rely on for their wellbeing and development,” added Frazier. Her visit started with meeting children affected by armed conflict. During her mission, she met with the First Lady of Ukraine, Ms. Olena Zelenska, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, the Minister of Social Policy and Family Unity, Denys Uliutin, the Interministerial Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, chaired by Ms. Daria Herasymchuk, representatives from the Ministry of Defense and Security Services, as well as representatives of the United Nations, local and regional authorities in Kharkiv, the Group of Friends on children and armed conflict, civil society organizations and children and families in frontline areas. In her exchanges, she discussed the most pertinent issues impacting children, including ongoing work to prevent and end grave violations, as mandated under Security Resolution 1612 , as well as the implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the return of Ukrainian children ( A/RES/ES-11/9 ). USG Frazier commended the Government of Ukraine for taking concrete steps to protect children through the joint prevention plan on grave violations, signed in 2023 and renewed annually. This has resulted in practical action and yielded positive progress and she emphasized the need to ensure its full implementation as a national priority. She raised concern regarding the recruitment and use of children in the context of war, including through social media and messaging platforms. She stressed that children alleged to have committed crimes should be treated in accordance with international juvenile justice standards, including the use of detention as a last resort and for the shortest time possible. USG Frazier also saw first-hand how the Government of Ukraine and local authorities are working with United Nations agencies and civil society to ensure the continuation of safe education and vital child protection services. At a Metro school in Kharkiv and an underground child protection hub in Zolochiv, supported by UNICEF, she engaged with children and families to listen to their stories and understand their specific challenges and needs in frontline areas. She praised these efforts and stressed the need to sustain support to education, psychosocial assistance and holistic child protection services for the most vulnerable children. “I’ve heard directly from children who are speaking out for their right to education, their longing for peace and to live their childhoods without fear. Through the ‘Prove it Matters’ campaign we are also providing the platform for the voices of Ukrainian children and others affected by conflict to be heard by decision makers globally,” said USG Frazier. In Ukraine, children from some 1,800 schools have written more than 6,500 messages of peace on origami doves as part of the global initiative. Ukraine is among the most heavily mined countries in the world, with nearly one quarter of its territory potentially contaminated. The widespread presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war endangers civilians and disrupts livelihoods, placing children at particular risk. USG Frazier encouraged Ukraine to reconsider its suspension of the Anti‐Personnel Mine Ban Convention and called on the international donor community to expand support to clear the land and sustain explosive ordnance risk education programmes. USG Frazier reiterated the United Nations commitment to supporting Ukraine in all efforts aimed at strengthening the protection of children.
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
