The 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC 62), held from 15 June to 8 July 2026, has come to a close. Throughout the session, Defence for Children International (DCI) worked to ensure that children’s rights remained at the forefront of international discussions, calling on States to strengthen accountability, and uphold their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.
Key Highlights
Side Event - Children's Rights in Palestine Under Attack
On 25 June 2026, DCI hosted a side event during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council entitled “Children’s Rights in Palestine Under Attack: Evidence and Accountability in Child-Centred Dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry.” The discussion focused on the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, as presented in its latest report “The essence of childhood has been destroyed”: Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023.
Item 2 Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
DCI highlighted that Palestinian children continue to be routinely arrested in violation of international standards and subjected to indefinite detention. DCI further warned that children in detention face deliberate starvation, severe overcrowding, gross medical neglect, and outbreaks of infectious diseases, resulting in significant physical and psychological harm. These practices were identified as serious violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture, enabled by a persistent lack of accountability.
Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
DCI called for independent monitoring, effective oversight, and child rights impact assessments in migration and asylum policies. It also urged States to prioritise rights-based, sustainable asylum and migration systems that fully respect international human rights law and children’s rights, and to fully implement the recommendations of the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.
Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children
DCI expressed concern over the continued prevalence of child trafficking in Sierra Leone. DCI urged Member States to expedite the adoption and implementation of investigation and prosecution tools, strengthen awareness-raising efforts, enhance cross-border cooperation, strengthen regional investigations, and expand community-based prevention programmes.
Item 6 Adoption of the report on the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania
DCI commended the State’s engagement with the review process and its progress in advancing the rights of women and children. At the same time, the organisation expressed concern over the continued prevalence of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, child and forced marriage, the absence of comprehensive legislation, and barriers to accessing justice.