© Frederic Ballenegger, DFAE
Defence for Children International advocated for children’s rights during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council (23 February to 31 March 2026). DCI hosted two side events, delivered four statements, engaged in working groups, and participated in the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child. Through all activities, DCI centred children’s voices.
Key Highlights
Side Event on Children in Armed Conflict
On 10 March, DCI, the NGO Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and the Group of Friends of the CAAC mandate hosted a side event titled “Protecting Children in Armed Conflict: 30 years of Children and Armed Conflict Mandate.” Panellists stressed the urgent need for action amid growing challenges to systemic change and humanitarian access.
Annual Day on the Rights of the Child
Two Child Advocates from Palestine, Layan and Zain, delivered statements on their lived reality as children living through conflict, uncertainty, and fear.
Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
DCI warned that grave violations against children, including killing and maiming, recruitment, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and the denial of humanitarian access, continue at alarming and unprecedented levels.
Item 10 Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in the DRC
DCI-DRC/BIFERD called for urgent international attention to the grave and widespread violations against children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Item 7 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
DCI warned of the ongoing and systematic abuses against Palestinian children’s rights by the State of Israel, including arbitrary detention, deprivation of liberty without charge or trial, inhumane treatment, and incommunicado detention.
Side Event on Children Deprived of Liberty
On 11 March, DCI, Bureau International Catholique de l’Enfance (BICE) and the NGO Panel on Children Deprived of Liberty hosted a side event titled “Child Detention: Advancing the Roadmap on Children Deprived of Liberty 2025-2030”. The discussion focused on the Roadmap for Action on Children Deprived of Liberty 2025-2030, calling on states to translate its framework into concrete action.
Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
Speaking on behalf of the NGO Panel on Children Deprived of Liberty, DCI called for an end to child detention for minor or status offences and urged emergency release mechanisms in overcrowded or unsafe facilities.
Resolutions and Decisions at HRC 61
The Council adopted:
- A/HRC/RES/61/21 on the rights of children affected by armed conflict, reflecting strong support for child protection.
- Requested continued reporting on arms transfers to Israel and their legal consequences (A/HRC/61/L.35/Rev.1)
- Extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children for three years and requested the development of frameworks and child protection strategies (A/HRC/61/L.4/Rev.1)