(OSRSG-CAAC) – Twenty-five years ago, with the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the world made a historic commitment to its children. The convention, ratified by 194 countries, became the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world and generated significant progress. But much more remains to be done to protect children, especially those growing up in countries affected by conflict. “Children continue to be killed, maimed, recruited and used by armed forces and armed groups, deprived of education and healthcare,” said Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. “Despite all our efforts, we haven’t changed the fact that children are still the most vulnerable in times of conflict.”
