DCI Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Children’s Rights in Lebanon
Defence for Children International (DCI) stands with all children whose rights are violated and who are affected by attacks in Lebanon. DCI expresses solidarity with its member organisation, Defence for Children International – Lebanon, for its dedicated work over the last decade to defend and promote the rights of children in Lebanon.
Armed conflicts inflict profound harm upon children. Despite the special protection that should be afforded to all children by international law, including their very right to survival, all too often, they are terrorised by ineffective warnings to flee, forcibly displaced, detained, killed, orphaned, maimed, attacked, abducted, injured, traumatised, made homeless and internally displaced. They are deprived of liberty, of safety, of medical care, food, and water; they are exploited, or otherwise drawn directly into conflict. The repercussions extend to those who survive but endure the loss of parents, family members, friends, and bear witness to catastrophic and extremely traumatising events.
The situation in Lebanon is escalating day by day. As of 7 October, Israel’s offensive since 23 September has killed 1,450 people, including more than 100 children. Seven thousand five hundred people were injured. Over 1.2 million people have been forcibly displaced, including more than 345,000 children.
DCI condemns:
- The killing of civilians and children by all parties to this conflict and all violations of International Humanitarian Law.
- Israel’s military attacks against the Lebanese people, including children, and their forced internal displacement.
- The systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
- The unlawful use of white phosphorus and depleted uranium in densely populated and agricultural areas.
DCI calls for:
- An immediate and permanent ceasefire, to be monitored by an independent international body.
- An immediate end to violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including children’s rights violations. All those responsible for the indiscriminate attacks and other war crimes against civilians, including children, must be held criminally accountable and seen to be held accountable.
- A new accountability system to be put in place to end impunity for these crimes and to prevent future atrocities.
- Immediate humanitarian assistance for all internally displaced civilians, with special attention to the specific rights and needs of children.
- A ban on weapons sales and transfers to Israel.
- The international community must take responsibility for its failures in Gaza and the West Bank and urgently bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
- Special protection and care to be assured for the orphaned and/or wounded children with no surviving family.
- The tolerance or even encouragement of war crimes and violations of International Humanitarian Law to be acknowledged as a collective and indelible stain on the international community and its partnership in crimes.
DCI urges the international community to take immediate action to protect the rights of children in Lebanon.
Read the full press release here.
Click here to read the press release in Arabic.