New York: The Holy See has urged governments and the international community to step up efforts to protect children caught in armed conflicts, warning that millions of young people continue to suffer the devastating effects of war across the world.
The appeal was made by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations during the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, held in New York on June 25. In its statement, the Holy See stressed that protecting children is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral duty that reflects respect for the dignity of every human person.
The statement said the international community must not fail in its responsibility to safeguard the lives, dignity and future of children affected by violence. It added that the way nations respond to the suffering of children will show their commitment to international law and their respect for the God given dignity of every person.
According to the Holy See, children continue to bear a heavy share of the suffering caused by armed conflicts. Many have been killed or injured in places that should offer safety, including their homes, schools, hospitals and places of worship. Others survive the fighting but are left with lasting physical injuries, emotional trauma and the loss of family members and communities.
The statement also expressed deep concern over the increasing number of serious violations committed against children in conflict zones. It highlighted the continued recruitment of children by armed groups, as well as cases of abuse and abduction. These violations, the Holy See said, rob children of their childhood, separate them from their families and expose them to violence and exploitation that can affect them for the rest of their lives.
The mission also pointed to the growing number of children forced to flee their homes because of war. Displacement, separation from parents and the interruption of education and healthcare deprive children of the conditions needed for healthy growth and development. Such suffering, the statement said, should never be viewed as an unavoidable consequence of war.
The Holy See also raised concerns about the increasing use of emerging technologies in military operations, including unmanned systems and artificial intelligence supported technologies. It warned that while technological advances may assist military decision making, they can never replace human moral judgment, responsibility and accountability when decisions involve human life.
Quoting Pope Leo XIV from his encyclical Magnifica humanitas, the statement underlined that technology should always remain under human control and ethical responsibility. It stressed that decisions affecting human lives, especially the lives of children, must always be guided by moral principles rather than by technology alone.
The Holy See called on all parties involved in armed conflicts to fully respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. It urged governments to ensure that the special protections guaranteed to children are upheld in every situation and that those responsible for violations against children are held accountable.
The statement also encouraged countries that have not yet done so to endorse the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. The declaration, adopted in 2022, seeks to reduce civilian harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in towns and cities.
The Holy See concluded by reaffirming that protecting children in times of war remains an urgent responsibility for all nations. It said lasting peace and respect for human dignity can only be achieved when the rights and safety of the world's most vulnerable people are placed at the centre of international action.