“I am deeply troubled by the ongoing and devastating impact of the conflict in Gaza on children.
“For far too long, children there have been caught up in a crisis that is robbing them of their lives, their health, and their futures. Every day, we hear distressing reports of famine, hospitals under attack and of aid being blocked.
“It is children who are paying the highest price being killed, injured, traumatised, forced from their homes, or left without food, clean water, or medical care. No child should ever face such suffering.
“These are clear breaches of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which promises every child the right to survive, to be safe, to be cared for, to learn and to play.
“As a member of The European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) I endorse our ad-hoc position statement. Together we are expressing deep concern over the unprecedented and ongoing violations of children’s rights in Gaza.
“The scale of devastation is unacceptable. Alongside colleagues across Europe, I am calling for:
“The world cannot stay silent. Children’s lives and rights must be protected and urgent international action is needed now.”
The Commissioner has issued letters to the First and Deputy First Ministers as well as to the Secretary of State and Minister for Health in relation to the situation in Gaza.