The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has voiced deep concern over continuing reports of children and adolescents being killed or injured during the ongoing public unrest in Iran, calling for urgent measures to safeguard young lives.
Concern over reports of child casualties
In a strongly worded statement, UNICEF said it was “extremely concerned” by information indicating that minors have been caught in violence linked to protests and security operations. The agency said its thoughts were with the families of those killed or injured and expressed solidarity with their grief.
UNICEF underlined that children must never be exposed to violence, harm or fear, regardless of the political or social circumstances surrounding unrest.
Call for restraint and responsibility
Reiterating international child rights standards, UNICEF stressed that all children must be protected from actions that threaten their lives, liberty, or mental and physical well-being. The agency called on Iranian authorities, protest participants, communities and families to take every possible step to keep children out of harm’s way.
It specifically urged security forces to refrain from using unnecessary or disproportionate force, warning that such actions can have irreversible consequences for children and adolescents.
Rights under international law
UNICEF reminded all stakeholders that, under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child’s right to life must be respected and safeguarded at all times. Children, the agency said, should not be placed in situations that endanger them or deprive them of their liberty.
The statement also emphasised that protecting children is a shared responsibility that extends beyond authorities to society as a whole, including families and local communities.
Global attention on child safety
The appeal comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian impact of unrest in Iran, particularly on vulnerable groups. UNICEF said ensuring children’s safety is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative, even during periods of intense political tension.