International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed every year on 4 June to enlighten the public about the suffering of children across the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. The day marks the commitment of the United Nations to protect the rights of innocent children and safeguard them from such pain.

History

In 1982, the world got appalled by the news of a huge number of innocent Lebanese and Palestinian children becoming the victims of Israeli aggression during the Lebanese Civil War. Members of the UN General Assembly called for an emergency session to discuss the matter on 19 August. It decided to mark 4 June as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression under the ES-⅞ resolution. Since then, the world marks the day annually on 4 June.

Significance

Though the first-ever International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression was focused on victims of Lebanon war its scope was widened to “acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse”

This day affirms United Nations’ commitment towards protecting children and their rights. United Nations General Assembly decided under the resolution ES-7/8 that June 4 would be observed each year.