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Geneva: UNICEF
voiced alarm at the ongoing violence against civilians, especially
children in Syria.
In a statement, UNICEF strongly condemned all
acts of violence against children, and called for immediate
efforts by all parties to spare civilians, particularly children,
women, and the vulnerable.
"While UNICEF cannot verify the reported cases and events, we are
particularly disturbed by the recent video images of children who
were arbitrarily detained and suffered torture or ill-treatment
during their detention, leading in some cases to their death.
"We call on the government to
thoroughly investigate these reports and ensure that perpetrators
of such horrific acts are identified and brought to justice", it
said in the statement.
UNICEF reiterated the state’s primary responsibility for the
well-being of those affected by the unrest and therefore the duty
to ensure the continuation of basic social services at all times
and their urgent resumption in case of interruption, especially
for life-saving and emergency services.
"The use of live ammunition against
demonstrators has reportedly left at least 30 children dead.
UNICEF has not been able to independently verify the number of the
victims and the circumstances of their death.
"As party to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, Syria has an obligation to ensure children’s
right to life, to freedom of expression, to freedom of peaceful
assembly, and to protection from violence, exploitation and abuse.
These rights must be upheld at all times," the statement added.
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