- The United Nations (UN) International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4th, each year.
- The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.
- This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protecting the rights of children.
- The UN International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is a global observance and not a public holiday.
- On 19 August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly, “appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression”, decided to commemorate 4 June of each year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
- Following on the ground-breaking GraçaMachel report, which drew global attention to the devastating impact of armed conflict on children, in 1997, the General Assembly adopted 51/77 Resolution on the Rights of the Child.
- It was a landmark development in efforts to improve the protection of children in conflict situations.
- This signalled the start of a new consensus among Member States, on the need for dedicated attention, advocacy and coordinated effort, to address the vulnerabilities and violations faced by children in conflict-related situations.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides us with the universal masterplan to secure a better future for children.
