World Children's Day

Stichting De Facto Justice Releases Report Exposing Grave Violations Against Children in Conflict Zones and Under Political Repression

20 November 2025 – The Hague — On the occasion of United Nations World Children’s Day, Stichting De Facto Justice has published a comprehensive report titled “A Generation in Chains: Grave Violations Against Children in Conflict and Political Repression.” The report warns that children across Sudan, Yemen, Gaza, Ukraine, and Türkiye are facing an unprecedented collapse of protection systems guaranteed under international law.

According to the findings, millions of children are being exposed to systematic abuses—including killing and maiming, forced displacement, starvation, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, sexual violence, forced recruitment, and arbitrary detention. Many of these acts may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.

Conflict Zones: A Generation Under Siege

In Sudan, the civil war has triggered one of the world’s largest child protection emergencies. More than four million children have been displaced, 19 million are out of school, and acute malnutrition is widespread as humanitarian access remains obstructed.

In Yemen, over 11 million children rely on humanitarian assistance. Airstrikes, landmines, and child recruitment continue to devastate communities, while damage to water, sanitation, and educational infrastructure deepens the crisis.

In Gaza, children face catastrophic conditions marked by repeated mass displacement, the collapse of healthcare and water systems, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid. Psychological trauma among children has reached extreme levels.

In Ukraine, Russia’s invasion has displaced millions of children both internally and across Europe. Thousands have been separated from their families or forcibly transferred from occupied areas, while ongoing missile attacks continue to destroy schools and civilian infrastructure.

Political Repression: Children Deprived of Liberty in Türkiye

The report also highlights grave violations occurring outside conflict zones. In Türkiye, children—including infants—have been detained alongside their mothers under broadly interpreted anti-terrorism laws. Families accused of political offenses face intimidation, denial of services, and restrictions on freedom of movement. These practices violate the standards set by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Bangkok Rules.

Legal Obligations and International Responsibility

Stichting De Facto Justice emphasizes that all parties—state and non-state—are bound under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect children, ensure access to humanitarian assistance, and prevent arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. Continuous violations, the report stresses, persist with near-total impunity.

Urgent Recommendations

The organization calls for:

UN monitoring missions in all affected regions
Immediate ceasefires and secure humanitarian corridors
Accountability measures, including referrals to the International Criminal Court
Increased funding for child protection, mental health, and emergency education
The release of children and mothers detained in Türkiye on politically motivated grounds

A Critical Turning Point

The report concludes with a stark warning: the international community is at a decisive moment. Without urgent action, an entire generation will be condemned to long-term trauma, instability, and lost potential.

“Protecting children is not optional—it is a binding legal, moral, and humanitarian imperative,” the organization states.

The full report can be downloaded here.