The Purpose
The United Nations' (UN)
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on
June 4 each year. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by
children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and
emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of
children.
Observance
The International Day of Innocent
Children Victims of Aggression celebrates the millions of individuals and
organizations working to protect and preserve the rights of children. This day
is a time for individuals and organizations all over the world to become aware
of the impact of monstrosity of abuse, in all its forms, against children. It
is also a time when organizations and individuals learn from or take part in
awareness campaigns centered on protecting children's rights.
Background
On 19 August 1982, at its
emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly,
appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children
victims of Israel's acts of aggression, decided to commemorate June 4 of each
year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
According to the United Nations in
China, the statistics of child abuse include:
More than two million children
killed in conflict in the last two decades.
About 10 million child refugees cared for by the UN Refugee Agency
(UNHCR). In the Latin America and in the Caribbean region about 80 thousand
children die annually from violence that breaks out within the family.
Child abuse is now in the spotlight of global attention and the UN is working hard to help protect children around the world. One key factor is the process of international negotiation and action centered around the Convention on the Rights of the Child.