United Nations marks 30 years of child soldier liberation efforts

The United Nations is marking three decades of work dedicated to liberating child soldiers from armed groups. Over the last 30 years, more than 220,000 children have been released and integrated into child protection initiatives through the support of various Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict.

Vanessa Frazier, the current Special Representative, addressed the UN Security Council, emphasizing that success depends on reaching, liberating, and enrolling these children in school, while ensuring those responsible for violations are punished. Frazier noted that successful implementation allows children to receive a “second chance at life, families reunited and communities beginning a process of healing.”

Key regional successes include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where action plans helped establish measures to end the recruitment and use of children by national armed forces, and Colombia, where national programs have supported thousands of children in reintegrating into civilian communities. Frazier called for continued political commitment and “predictable, flexible, and multi-year funding” to sustain these diplomatic efforts.