Press Release

UNICEF Renews Call for Children to be Protected in Syrian Conflict

Following reports by Human Rights Watch and others this week that Syrian children are being killed and maimed by cluster bombs and used as fighters and guards, UNICEF reiterates that children must be protected at all times. “It is more than disturbing. It is outrageous and unacceptable to see the rights of children being violated in these ways,” said Executive Director Anthony Lake. “The longer this goes on, the more lasting the damage to children, to their future and thus the future of Syria itself.”

NEW YORK (November 29, 2012) — Following reports by Human Rights Watch and others this week that Syrian children are being killed and maimed by cluster bombs and used as fighters and guards, UNICEF reiterates that children must be protected at all times.
 
“It is more than disturbing. It is outrageous and unacceptable to see the rights of children being violated in these ways,” said Executive Director Anthony Lake. “The longer this goes on, the more lasting the damage to children, to their future and thus the future of Syria itself.”
 
UNICEF is working in Syria and four neighboring countries to deliver essential needs and supplies to hundreds of thousands of children and families.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For additional information, please contact:
Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 646.428.5010, smasur@unicefusa.org
Kiní Schoop, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.415.6508, kschoop@unicefusa.org