Take immediate steps to stop all forms of violence against children in Gaza: SC urges UN secy gen

The Supreme Court Special Committee for Child Rights in Bangladesh has urged the United Nations Secretary General to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the cessation of all forms of violence perpetrated against the children in Gaza.

It also urged to initiate a high-level diplomatic intervention to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, ensuring a safe and secure environment for the children in Gaza.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim, an Appellate Division judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and also the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Special Committee for Child Rights, made the appeal on January 15 this year through a letter sent to Mr António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim sent the letter under the instruction of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan. The letter was sent through the Foreign Ministry, said a press release issued by the Supreme Court.

The Special Committee also urged the Secretary General of the UN to deploy emergency humanitarian assistance to provide medical, psychological, and logistic support to the affected children and their families.

It also urged to establish and enforce international mechanisms to protect children in conflict zones in general, including in Gaza, in line with the UNCRC.

The letter further said, “We are deeply saddened by the recent reports of the tragic losses of young lives in Gaza due to ongoing conflicts. The Children in the conflict zones are facing insurmountable challenges and threats to their lives. The indiscriminate violence has also been severely impacting their physical and psychological well-being.

All these are a blatant violation of Articles 38(1) and (4) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), among a host of other international human rights and humanitarian law instruments.

As the United Nations stands as the embodiment of justice and hope for the oppressed, marginalized, and vulnerable worldwide, we, the Supreme Court Special Committee for Child Rights, Bangladesh implore your immediate and decisive action in this matter.”

“The children in Gaza cannot be left to suffer the consequences of conflicts that they are no part of. Their right to a peaceful and secure childhood must be upheld… The Supreme Court Special Committee for Child Rights, Bangladesh, remains committed to supporting the United Nations in all endeavors to protect and promote the rights of children globally,” also read the letter.

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