Innocent Victims of Aggression

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression was first observed on August 19, 1982, following a UN General Assembly resolution highlighting the grave atrocities committed against Palestinian and Lebanese children during the Lebanon War. Today, the observance has been broadened to acknowledge and act against all forms of violence and aggression faced by children worldwide. This day underscores the commitment of individuals, organizations, and nations to the cause of child protection, as inscribed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Lebanon War, also known as the 1982 Lebanon War, was a significant conflict that unfolded over nearly two decades, fundamentally altering the landscape of the Middle East. The war was characterized by numerous human rights violations, with the gravest atrocities committed against the most vulnerable groups—children.

The level of violence during the Lebanon War was extraordinary, leading to unprecedented abuse of children. As the war escalated, children were often forcibly recruited into armed factions. These child soldiers were subjected to intensive militarization, ruthlessly trained to fight, and often used as front-line troops or suicide bombers.?Many witnessed the death and injury of their family members and the destruction of their homes, leading to severe psychological trauma. Additionally, physical abuse, including torture and sexual violence, was widespread. Due to constant shelling and violence, schools were shut down, healthcare facilities were destroyed, and basic amenities became scarce, robbing children of their childhood and typical development. Thousands of children were forced to flee their homes, often in crowded and poorly equipped refugee camps. The traumatic experience of displacement?and the lack of security, education, and healthcare in these camps severely impacted their well-being.

One of the worse documented atrocities was witnessed in the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Janet Lee Stevens, an American journalist, later wrote to her husband, Dr. Franklin Lamb, "I saw dead women in their houses with their skirts up to their waists and their legs spread apart; dozens of young men shot after being lined up against an alley wall; children with their throats slit, a pregnant woman with her stomach chopped open, her eyes still wide open, her blackened face silently screaming in horror; countless babies and toddlers who had been stabbed or ripped apart and who had been thrown into garbage piles."

The atrocities committed against children during the war have had long-lasting effects on the mental health of the survivors. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among those who experienced such brutalities firsthand. Furthermore, the war generation continues to face significant challenges in accessing quality education and healthcare.

This incident led the UN General Assembly to establish the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, primarily aimed at providing a platform to advocate for protecting children's rights and promoting awareness about the impacts of violent conflicts on children. The day is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war and aggression on the most vulnerable members of society.

In the 21st century, children across the globe continue to face numerous forms of violence, aggression, and exploitation, such as physical and emotional abuse, child labor, trafficking, forced recruitment into armed groups, and more. Wars, conflicts, and civil unrest exacerbate these conditions, leaving lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars on children. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression provides an essential platform to draw attention to these critical issues.

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression underscores the pressing need to shield children from violence and aggression to provide them with a safe and nurturing environment. It reinforces the global commitment to respect and enforces children's rights, as laid down in the UNCRC. Achieving these goals necessitates the collective efforts of individuals, societies, governments, and international bodies.