PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(16 July 2025)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict in (a) the Occupied Palestinian Territories, (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (c) Haiti, (d) Somalia and (e) Nigeria.

Asked by:
Jayne Kirkham (Labour)

The UN Secretary-General's 2025 report on children and armed conflict highlights a shocking 25 per cent increase in grave violations against children. The UK statement at the UN Security Council open debate on 25 June called on all parties to armed conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children. It also called on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect children.

The UK is an active and committed member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, playing a key role ensuring scrutiny of conflicts where children are harmed and holding perpetrators to account.

We have raised child protection issues and concerns with the governments of Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti and Somalia. In Nigeria, we are working with partners on the ground to protect children, focusing on girls, explosive weapons and the recruitment and use and detention of children.

Answered by:
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