The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression originally focused on the Lebanese and Palestinian children who were victims of the aggression attacks by the Israelis. Its purpose expanded to explain the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

Thus, on 19 August 1982, at the United Nations’ emergency special session, it was decided that the 4^th of June each year would commemorate the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression under the resolution ES-7/8.

“Children need peace and protection at all times. The rules of war prohibit the unlawful targeting of civilians, attacks on schools or hospitals, the use, recruitment, and unlawful detention of children, and the denial of humanitarian assistance. When conflicts break out, these rules need to be respected and those who break them need to be held accountable. Enough is enough. Stop attacks on children.” — UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore

Social psychologists define aggression as behaviour that is intended to harm another individual who does not wish to be harmed (Baron & Richardson, 1994).

Emotional or impulsive aggression refers to aggression that occurs with only a small amount of forethought or intent and that is determined primarily by impulsive emotions. Emotional aggression is the result of the extreme negative emotions we’re experiencing at the time that we aggress and is not intended to create any positive outcomes.

Instrumental or cognitive aggression, on the other hand, is aggression that is intentional and planned. Instrumental aggression is more cognitive than affective and may be completely cold and calculating. Instrumental aggression is aimed at hurting someone to gain something—attention, monetary reward, or political power, for instance. If the aggressor believes that there is an easier way to obtain the goal, the aggression would probably not occur.

Children in conflict zones or environments have one thing in common, they are trapped in a reality they did nothing to create. They are victims of man-made catastrophes.

250 million children around the world are living in countries affected by conflict. (UNICEF, 2018)

Six grave violations of conflict experienced by children have been identified;

Recruitment and use of child soldiers
Killing and maiming
Sexual violence
Abduction
Attacks on schools and hospitals
Denial of humanitarian access

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is set aside to acknowledge the organisations and even private individuals who are involved in safeguarding the rights of those children who are maltreated in various parts of the world. It helps people all across the globe to get aware of the abuse that children are going through and how it all can be prevented. Key thoughts that reflect the celebration of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression include-

Acceptance of the ingrained dignity and the inalienable and equal rights of every member of the family is the basis of justice, peace, and freedom in the world.

Childhood is authorised to special assistance and care. A child must be completely prepared to live a personal life in society and nurtured in the spirit of the principles asserted in the Charter of the United Nations, and especially in the spirit of dignity, peace, freedom, tolerance, solidarity, and equality.

A child, for the harmonious and full development of his/her personality, must grow up in an atmosphere of love, understanding, and happiness, in a family environment. A child, in his mental and physical immaturity, requires special care and safeguards which also include proper legal protection, after birth and even before birth. Children are the future, not only of every nation but the future of humanity. They need prosperous, peaceful societies where they can thrive.