The bill was developed by Malta and supported by at least 80 member states. It highlights the need to facilitate adequate and sustainable protection capacities for children in United Nations peace operations and for attention to the context of transition to or from United Nations missions.

In June of this year, the UN published its main report on the situation of minors after documenting alarming levels of violence, particularly in Palestine, Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

According to the publication, last year the organization verified 32,990 serious violations against 22,557 minors. “Children suffered a flagrant disregard for their rights and the protections enshrined in international humanitarian and human rights law, including the right to life,” said Virginia Gamba, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.

The UN recognizes six grave violations against children in concerning situations around the world: killing and maiming; recruitment or use as soldiers; sexual violence; abduction; attacks on schools and hospitals; and denial of humanitarian access.

In 2023, the UN verified the killing or maiming of 11,649 children, representing a 35 percent increase from the previous report for the highest violation verified in the report; 5,301 child killings represent a chilling estimate of 15 cases every day in conflict situations. It also found evidence of the recruitment and use of 8,655 children and the kidnapping of 4,356.

The denial of humanitarian access increased by more than 30 percent compared to 2022, after more than 5,205 cases were identified, while the rate of sexual violence experienced an increase of 25 with 1,470 victims.

Meanwhile, access to education and health services was compromised for thousands of minors, with 1,650 verified attacks against schools, hospitals, and related personnel.

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