The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) welcomes the United Nations’ decision to blacklist several entities, including the Israeli state armed forces along with other non-state groups, for their involvement in crimes against children. This move emphasizes the international community’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and welfare, particularly in conflict zones.
‘With mounting evidence from the international community, the plausible genocide case in the International Court of Justice, the seeking of arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, and now listing the Israeli armed forces as committing crimes against children, when will the institutions that were set up to prevent atrocities act, when is enough is enough?’ Said the President of AFIC, Dr Rateb Jnied ‘The world appears to be impotent whilst mass slaughter and killings go on, we must acknowledge that might does not equal right.’
The Secretary-General’s report highlighted a disturbingly high number of grave violations against children, with over 27,000 instances verified in the previous year alone. These violations include recruitment in conflict, killing and maiming, rape and sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools, and denial of humanitarian assistance.
The UN’s actions have sparked a global conversation on the need for more robust mechanisms to protect children and ensure perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable. In stark contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the UN for supporting Hamas and causing tension with Israel. Israel again seeks to disempower and delegitimise any international recognised protection for the Palestinian people, with its continued attacks against the UN and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine and refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
AFIC supports the international community’s protection of children and urged all member states to ensure consistency in rule in all settings, with urgency in the Gaza conflict. Further, it urged Australia to take note of these developments and support the UN’s efforts to safeguard children’s rights across the globe.
AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President