STATEMENT
61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 4 – General Debate
Statement by Mr Tormod C. ENDRESEN, Ambassador - Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations Norway
16.03.2026
President,
The protection of children must remain at the center of this Council’s work. The Children and Armed Conflict agenda is fundamentally a human rights agenda, as serious violations of international humanitarian law directly undermine children’s rights to life, safety, education, and dignity.
We are deeply concerned about the extremely serious escalation in the Middle East region, with attacks harming civilians, schools, and hospitals. These attacks must cease immediately. Children must be protected.
Norway is also alarmed by the catastrophic human rights situation in Sudan, where children are being subjected to unrestrained violence, including sexual violence, killing, slavery and torture, amid collapsing services, and restricted humanitarian access.
Russia continues to violate the rights of Ukrainian children, including through forcible transfers and deportations, attacks on schools, and attempts to erase their Ukrainian identity.
Norway fully supports the vital efforts of the SRSG CAAC to ensure protection of children in armed conflict.
The highest number of violations according to the latest SRSG CAAC report was verified in Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Nigeria and Haiti.
We call upon all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and dignity of children worldwide.
Thank you