The Shield of Children’s Rights (Child Friendly Version, 2025)

This child-friendly report, The Shield of Children’s Rights, presents the key findings of the 2025 Report to the Human Rights Council on the rights of the child and violations of human rights in armed conflicts. It aims to help children and young people understand how international laws protect them before, during, and after war.

Developed by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with children from conflict-affected countries, the guide transformation complex legal frameworks such as international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child into accessible concepts. It emphasizes that children have a “shield of rights” composed of global laws and commitments that protect them from violence, exploitation, recruitment, and displacement during war.

The report underscores the importance of justice, accountability, and recovery, highlighting children’s rights to education, health, play, and family unity even in conflict situations. It also calls on governments to uphold international commitments, strengthen protections, and ensure the participation of children in peacebuilding. Ultimately, the report empowers young readers to understand their rights, advocate for protection, and contribute to a global movement toward peace and justice for all children.