Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine

Thank you Madam President,

I would like to thank the briefers for their valuable and sobering contributions today. And I would like to thank the United States for organizing this important briefing.

At the outset, let me underline the invaluable role that UNICEF and other humanitarian organizations are playing in Ukraine, where the war is having a devastating impact on children as we just heard today. Death, injuries and trauma are clear, with devastating consequences on physical and psychosocial wellbeing for the country’s 7.5 million children.

It is of our utmost concern that almost all of the defined six grave violations against children in armed conflicts occur in Ukraine. Secretary General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict for 2023 clearly notes and quantifies these violations. At the same time, the Report lists the Russian Armed Forces and affiliated armed groups as parties that commit grave violations affecting children in situations of armed conflict.

In the past year we have witnessed a concerning increase in children casualties, averaging at least 16 children dead or injured each week. With attacks on civilian infrastructure, there are no safe havens for them: neither at home, nor in schools or hospitals. Millions of Ukrainian children live in constant fear, some spending hours sheltering under sounds of air raid sirens daily. Displacement leaves girls particularly vulnerable to heightened levels of gender-based violence.

This comes on top of approximately 1.7 million children lacking safe drinking water, and 3.4 million lacking access to centralized sanitation. Amidst plunging temperatures and systematic destruction of civilian energy infrastructure, this represents another grave risk of harm and disease.

Madam President,

Just two weeks ago, on 20th of November, we commemorated the 35^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. After more than a thousand days of war, this core international human rights instrument represents another unimplemented international agreement for the children of Ukraine. Killed, injured, deprived of carefree childhood and safe family environment, without access to education and healthcare.

Moreover, thousands of Ukrainian children were separated from their families, forcefully transferred or unlawfully deported within the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and to Russia. Their whereabouts, for most of them, remain unknown and their future uncertain. International monitoring mechanisms documented these deeply concerning violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. We underline the key importance of accountability. 

The suffering of Ukrainian children has to come to an end. The profound promise to every child – to protect and fulfil their rights in order for them to reach their full potential, which is at the core spirit of the Convention, must be upheld and respected by all.  

Madam President,

They say that when a war occurs, the first casualty is the truth. I would argue that the very next victim is the future of a nation. No matter if a war is won or lost. The stress and trauma children afflicted by war have to brave, causes psychological wounds that can echo through generations. There is still a chance to save the future of children. But this war needs to end and it needs to end now.

Thank you.

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