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International conflict - position statement

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is mandated by its mission to support improving child health in the UK and around the world. The College will continue to advocate for the best interests of children and paediatricians around the world, whoever they are and wherever they may be. We aim to do so without engaging in political commentary or judgement.

In situations of conflict, adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law is imperative. Such laws are designed to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that fundamental rights are upheld, even in times of crisis. Among these laws, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)1 stands as a cornerstone of international commitment to safeguarding children’s wellbeing.

The UNCRC applies to all children, without discrimination. It mandates that the best interests of the child be a primary consideration in any decision affecting them. It further stipulates that governments must take all necessary measures to ensure the survival, protection, and development of children, enabling them to reach their fullest potential.

In addition to this, global efforts to protect health workers and infrastructure during conflict are critical in maintaining humanitarian standards and ensuring the delivery of essential services. International law establishes that health workers must be able to operate without fear of violence or obstruction. 

Multiple UN Resolutions and Geneva Conventions explicitly call for the protection of health infrastructure and personnel during conflict. Healthcare facilities are protected under Security Council Resolution 22862 and RCPCH condemns all parties to conflict who attack or fail to provide adequate protection to facilities whose primary function is to provide healthcare.

The protection of children’s rights, health workers and medical infrastructure is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative. All parties in conflict must adhere to international standards that safeguard the most vulnerable, ensuring the preservation of human life and dignity. Upholding these principles is essential for the restoration of peace, stability, and the future wellbeing of those affected by conflict.

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  • 2UNSC res 2286/2016 ‘strongly condemns attacks and threats against the wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities’; see