International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is being observed on Tuesday (June 4).

The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.

This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

BACKGROUND

In 1997 The General Assembly adopted the 51/77 Resolution on the Rights of the Child. It was a landmark development in efforts to improve the protection of children in conflict situations.

Following on the groundbreaking report of Graça Machel which drew global attention to the devastating impact of armed conflict on children, Resolution 51/77 signalled the start of a new consensus among Member States, on the need for dedicated attention, advocacy and coordinated effort, by the international community, to address the particular vulnerabilities and violations faced by children in conflict-related situations.

Resolution 51/77 built on existing General Assembly efforts to protect the rights of children, including through the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol, and the annual Rights of the Child resolutions. And it established the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.