UNICEF USA’s Post

Children do not start wars. They need and deserve peace. From Ukraine to Gaza, from Sudan to Haiti, children in conflict zones are deprived of essential, life-saving services. They face violence, injury, and death, recruitment or use by armed forces and groups, displacement and uprooting, interrupted education, lack of healthcare, long-lasting physical and mental trauma, and much more. To better protect children affected by conflict, the EU has significantly updated its Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) framework by adopting revised guidelines. This means stronger efforts to keep children safe and ensure their rights are respected. Learn more: https://europa.eu/!GCgnk4 © European Union, 2024.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Mr. Volker Türk) deplored the Russian missile attacks on densely populated areas of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kryvi Rih, Pokrovsk, and Dnipro. The attacks also struck important hospitals, including the Okhmatdyt Hospital, the largest pediatric medical center and main treatment center for children with cancer. This attack caused the deaths of children, significant structural damage, and the interruption of medical services, highlighting the urgency of the dangers of wartime for innocent victims. Ukrainian authorities reported that at least 34 people were killed and 127 injured. Additionally, in Kyiv, at least seven civilians were killed at the ISIDA medical center due to the secondary effects of an intercepted missile. #UNETCHAC continues to work to ensure that all innocent lives and children in armed conflict are protected and safeguarded. Our network is committed to promoting peace and cooperation to end all forms of violence, especially in contexts involving children in armed conflict. #ActToProtect United Nations Rappresentanza Permanente d'Italia presso l'Unione europea Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale United Nations Human Rights

⚡️ In 2022, there were 27,800 verified violations against 18,890 children globally, including killings, recruitment, and abductions. Despite commitments made by some countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq, the number of violations has increased. The complexity of conflict drivers, involvement of new armed actors, and crises contribute to this issue. Member States should take action to mitigate the impact on children, adopt and implement action plans, monitor and report violations, and facilitate humanitarian access. France is campaigning for universalization of guidelines on children associated with armed forces/groups. Grave violations against children are also reported in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Haiti, Sahel, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.

“The material includes…audio recordings of communications between a Russian pilot and Russian ground control, authorizing the release of aerial munitions and confirming that the aerial munitions had been dropped, at the precise times that strikes were captured on video.” The use of audio recordings in a complaint filed against Russia before the UN Human Rights Committee highlights the importance of audio data in pursuing accountability for violations of IHL. The complaint draws on cockpit recordings that allegedly show the deliberate targeting of hospitals in Syria by Russian planes on multiple occasions. For those interested in the role of audio data in accountability, and in how the evidentiary value of that data can be bolstered from the moment of collection, look out for the Hala Protocol on the Collection, Processing, and Transfer of Audio Data that is due to be published in October this year. The Open Society Justice Initiative press release on the complaint can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e4G9-nHF The complaint is, among other things, a great example of how journalism can support legal accountability work - for the *excellent* NYT report on the Russia tapes used in the complaint, see click through below:

Many older persons have limited mobility and are dependent on others for help. Many older persons also struggle with loneliness. For a large group of older persons in Ukraine, the Russia-Ukraine international armed conflict has amplified the dependency – and the loneliness. In light of International Older Persons Day, see how volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross support. 💛 #IDOP202 #EU4Health #Mentalhealthmatters

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We join our thoughts with all Ukrainians and continue to support them! At the same time, we are marking the 1st year of our Foundation. Here is what has been achieved so far: - we have launched the app to collect information about crimes committed in Ukraine and about victims of the war - we are upkeeping a safe server to store the information - membership in the Coalition for the International Criminal Court - 8 webinars - 2 international conferences - 2 press conferences - 1 streaming documentary ‘Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom’ - more than a dozen interviews - participation in conferences where we promoted the Project - we have developed a network of volunteers and are now active in 19 countries - we have established cooperation with many ngos from all over the world - we train volunteers how to listen to and speak with witnesses/victims/survivors of the war in Ukraine We aim to support international and national authorities established to investigate and adjudicate international crimes and authorities involved in reparation projects for victims of the war in Ukraine. You can share information here: https://lnkd.in/dJAzDNsv

I've heard a lot of slogan chanting about Israel not adhering to the Geneva Convention, But nothing regarding Hamas's tactics. So, what have we had so far? 1. Attacking civilians in their homes (10/7 and rocket fire daily into cities). 2. Rape, beheading, killing of children, elderly and women, desecration of bodies. 3. Maltreatment of hostages - drugging, beatings, medicine prevention, murdering them... 4. establishing command centers, hiding munitions and weapons in hospitals, kindergartens, schools, and international aid facilities. Also fighting from these places. 5. Using kids for transferring explosives. 6. Installing rocket launch pads inside graves in cemeteries. 7. Fighting in civilian clothing. 8. Using ambulances to transfer weapons, hostages, fighters. 9. Hijacking international aid trucks instead of providing aid and shelter to their own citizens. 10. Preventing the red cross from seeing the hostages. Now, can't say I'm an expert on international law, but some of these if not all must be against that convention. Why don't I hear any of you saying something about that? How is it that the terror organization that started all of this gets your blessing? why don't you just bend over for them? Can't upload proof for each due to linkedIn limitations, but here, enjoy a terrorist's tale:

Together, we’re saving lives. More than 3,000 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to receive specialised care in hospitals across Europe via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. ▶ The patients have been transferred for treatment to hospitals in 22 European countries: 🇦🇹, 🇧🇪, 🇭🇷, 🇨🇿, 🇩🇰, 🇪🇪, 🇫🇮, 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪, 🇭🇺, 🇮🇪, 🇮🇹, 🇱🇹, 🇱🇺, 🇳🇱, 🇳🇴, 🇵🇱, 🇵🇹, 🇷🇴, 🇸🇮, 🇪🇸, and 🇸🇪. ▶ The evacuations are further supported by the EU Medevac Hub in Rzeszów, Poland where patients receive 24/7 nursing care, and which serves as a transfer centre for patients. We cannot turn our eyes away from the horrors Ukrainian people are forced to face day by day. As Russia continues its ruthless attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, providing emergency assistance to Ukraine is as crucial as ever. #StandWithUkraine #EUSolidarity

Together, we’re saving lives. More than 3,000 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to receive specialised care in hospitals across Europe via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. ▶ The patients have been transferred for treatment to hospitals in 22 European countries: 🇦🇹, 🇧🇪, 🇭🇷, 🇨🇿, 🇩🇰, 🇪🇪, 🇫🇮, 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪, 🇭🇺, 🇮🇪, 🇮🇹, 🇱🇹, 🇱🇺, 🇳🇱, 🇳🇴, 🇵🇱, 🇵🇹, 🇷🇴, 🇸🇮, 🇪🇸, and 🇸🇪. ▶ The evacuations are further supported by the EU Medevac Hub in Rzeszów, Poland where patients receive 24/7 nursing care, and which serves as a transfer centre for patients. We cannot turn our eyes away from the horrors Ukrainian people are forced to face day by day. As Russia continues its ruthless attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, providing emergency assistance to Ukraine is as crucial as ever. #StandWithUkraine #EUSolidarity

Today is Red Hand Day. This observance was created to draw attention to the fates of children soldiers, children, who are used in wars and armed conflicts. Children were used in recent yeas in armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Philippines, Myanmar, Palestine and Colombia. The estimated number of children used in armed conflicts shows no changes between 2006 and 2009, and rehabilitation of children soldiers ranges from inadequate to non-exist. Red Hand Day was established in 2002 after the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict came into force. The protocol was signed by more than 100 countries in May 2000. About 250,000 of children are used around the world as soldiers. It's difficult to tell their total number, as most children are deployed in armed rebel groups. Children are used as soldiers in 17 countries, including some that ratified the convention. Help to stop this abuse of children. Show your Red Hand to the world! More information —> https://lnkd.in/emqddYFJ