Children and Armed Conflict: Over 220,000 Children Released - Briefing | United Nations

UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier said that for the first time in the CAAC mandate’s history, “government forces were responsible for the majority of verified grave violations.” Today, at Security Council briefing marking the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) mandate Frazier said, “More than 40 action plans have been signed to date with parties to conflict, contributing to the release of over 220,000 children from armed forces and groups and their transfer to civilian child-protection actors. More than 220,000 children. Think about this number: each one is a life. That figure alone speaks to the impact of this mandate.” She also said, “The scale of current violations remains stark. In 2025, the UN verified 38,558 grave violations affecting 24,174 children. This is the highest number of children affected since this mandate was established. For the first time in the mandate’s history, government forces were responsible for the majority of verified grave violations.” She stressed, “Parties to conflict must allow monitors to work safely and without obstruction. When violations are documented, Member States should press for specific steps to end them, protect children and hold perpetrators accountable. The UN’s effort to monitor and respond to grave violations gives these children something priceless: visibility, protection, and the promise that the world has not forgotten them.”


For more information or to watch video on YouTube, click here!