Pakistan on Wednesday urged the international community to end impunity for those responsible for grave violations against children in armed conflict, highlighting the worsening humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and warning that expanding wars and emerging military technologies are exposing children to unprecedented risks.
Pakistan's Statement at UN Security Council
Speaking during a United Nations Security Council open debate on Children and Armed Conflict, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said the protection of children required greater international oversight, accountability for perpetrators and renewed efforts to resolve conflicts through diplomacy.
“The plight of children in situations of foreign occupation continues to worsen,” Jadoon said during his statement. “It is appalling that more than 12,000 incidents of grave violations occurred only in one year against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The remarks come as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to draw international attention, with repeated UN warnings about the toll on children, schools and hospitals. “As the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict, children bear its deepest and most enduring scars,” he added. “The rapid surge in armed conflicts all over the world has exposed them to a host of grave violations ranging from killing and maiming, and attacks on schools and hospitals, to denial of humanitarian access.”
Concerns Over Military Technology
Jadoon also raised concern over the “dehumanization of military technology,” referring to the use of unmanned aerial drones and the integration of artificial intelligence with weapons systems, saying they further exposed children to frequent and unprecedented attacks. The issue came up for discussion after a missile strike on a girls’ school in Iran’s Minab in February killed more than 150 children and teachers. The attack, which occurred during the opening phase of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, intensified debate over targeting practices, accountability and the increasing integration of AI into modern warfare.
Record Number of Violations Worldwide
Referring to the UN Secretary-General’s latest report, the Pakistani diplomat said more than 38,000 violations against children were recorded worldwide in 2025, the highest annual figure since the monitoring mechanism was established 30 years ago. He called for greater protection of schools and hospitals, strict compliance with international humanitarian law and stronger measures to hold perpetrators accountable.
“Pakistan underscores the need for concrete measures to safeguard children, including by vigilant oversight and ending impunity for violators, protection of schools from attacks and military use and reinforcement of safe education systems in conflict zones,” he said.
Call for Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Jadoon added that sustained investment in rehabilitation, reintegration and psychosocial support for children affected by conflict was essential to prevent further cycles of violence.
