As a member, the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia unequivocally and resolutely joins the call of the European Network of Ombudsmen for the Rights of the Child   (ENOC) for the immediate protection of children in Gaza at all costs and for consistent respect for international law.

ENOC reiterates its deep concern about the ongoing and worsening violations of children's rights in the Gaza Strip. The situation there constitutes a grave and ongoing violation of children's rights. As independent institutions with a specific mandate to protect and promote children's rights, ENOC members call on all national governments, the European Union, the United Nations, and relevant international bodies to take immediate, coordinated, and decisive action to end the war and protect children in Gaza at all costs.

ENOC warns that after more than 19 months of fighting, with continuous bombardment and a humanitarian blockade, the living conditions of children in Gaza have become unbearable. Gaza has been largely destroyed, with more than 60,000 people killed, including tens of thousands of children. Children are injured, separated from their families or orphaned, traumatised, displaced, or permanently disabled. Basic life resources – water, food, electricity, healthcare – are deliberately blocked. More and more children are suffering from severe malnutrition, psychological trauma and lack of access to medical care.

The ongoing dramatic situation in Gaza, and in particular the inadequate response of the international community and its failure to protect the most vulnerable – children – seriously undermine the concept of human rights as a fundamental universal value. The scale of the destruction, the attacks on the civilian population, and the massive displacement of children and families have created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that requires immediate and decisive international action. The lives, safety and development of an entire generation of Palestinian children are at risk.

The harm suffered by children constitutes a direct violation of their fundamental rights guaranteed under international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which has been ratified by almost every country in the world:

·       Article 38 – the right to life, survival and development: thousands of children have died as a result of ongoing hostilities, and the long-term development of many others is at risk.

·       Article 8 –the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family ties: 10,000 newborns are deprived of legal recognition.

·       Article 19 – the right to protection from violence: children are not protected from armed conflict, bombing and displacement.

·       Article 24 – the right to health: the destruction of health facilities and the denial of access to medical care directly violate the child's right to care.

·       Articles 28. and 31 – the right to education and play: most schools and playgrounds are damaged or destroyed, there are no safe spaces, children are deprived of education and play.

·       Article 27 – the right to an adequate standard of living: basic needs – food, clean water, shelter – are not provided for most children in Gaza.

·       Article 37 – the right not to be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment: violated by continuous exposure to life-threatening trauma, fear and displacement.

·       Article 39 – the right to recovery and reintegration: opportunities for treatment and psychological recovery are extremely limited, and a stable or safe environment does not exist.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the humanitarian blockade and widespread hunger among children in Gaza in a statement on 21 May 2025. It noted that more than 50 children have already died from hunger and thousands more are at imminent risk of death if aid is not delivered in a timely manner. “If the blockade continues, more children will die and up to 71,000 children under the age of five could suffer from severe acute malnutrition over the next year.”

The Committee reiterated that these conditions constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, for which there is no legal or factual excuse. It stressed the obligation of all States – particularly those with influence over the course of the conflict – to comply with their legal obligations under the CRC and the Geneva Conventions.

The protection of children in armed conflict is not a political issue, but a legal obligation. Children's rights are universal, indivisible, and must be respected even in times of war. Under international humanitarian law, parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants and take all possible measures to prevent harm to the civilian population, especially children.

ENOC calls on all competent governments to:

·       ensure immediate and safe access to humanitarian aid for all children in Gaza.

·       support an immediate ceasefire to prevent further harm to children.

·       respect the principles of non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child, as set out in the CRC.

·       cooperate with independent international mechanisms to investigate violations of children's rights.

·       ensure access to psychosocial support, family reunification, education, and rehabilitation services for all affected children.

·       support the reconstruction of child-centred infrastructure, including schools, health centres, and safe shelters.

·       express solidarity with the relocation of children who have been injured since the outbreak of hostilities, in order to ensure medical care and safety. European countries must take the necessary measures to provide medical care and protection for children affected by the conflict.

ENOC also warns that this is an emergency situation in the field of child protection. "Children are not responsible for armed conflicts, but they suffer their worst consequences," it emphasises and calls for the urgent protection of all children affected by the conflict in Gaza and for full respect for international law to ensure their safety, dignity, and future.

ENOC calls on the European Union, the United Nations and all countries that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child to fulfil their obligations: "Enforce the law. Defend the rights of the child!"

The ad hoc ENOC “Position Statement on “Children in Gaza must be protected at all costs and their rights restored. An Urgent Call to Uphold International Law” of August 2025 is available in English HERE.