Balanced News: Protecting Children in War: No More Time to Wait

Almost 24,000 grave violations of children’s rights in war were documented by the United Nations in 2021 alone, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, use and recruitment, and abductions. The UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict identifies States and armed groups responsible for such violations in its “list of shame” to ensure accountability and protect children. However, concerns have been raised about the process for determining which perpetrators are included in the list, with civil society organizations and UN Member States emphasizing the need for evidence-based and consistent listing decisions.