INNOCENT VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION

“The silence often of pure innocence persuades when speaking fails.” – William Shakespeare

Today is the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. The commemorative day originated when the United Nations observers became appalled by the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression. On 19th August 1983, the United Nations General Assembly decided to commemorate 4th June of each year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. It reminds people that throughout the world there are many children suffering from different forms of abuse, and there is an urgent need to protect the rights of children.

This day affirms the United Nations commitment to protect the rights of children. According to the United Nations, the statistics of child abuse include:
• More than two million children killed in conflict in the last two decades.
• About 10 million child refugees cared for by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
• In the Latin America and in the Caribbean region about 80 thousand children die annually from violence that breaks out within the family.

Child abuse is now a major problem globally and the UN is working hard to help protect children around the world. One key factor is the process of international negotiation and action centered around the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

aggression |əˈgre sh ən|noun
Hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront: His chin was jutting with aggression | Territorial aggression between individuals of the same species.
• The action of attacking without provocation, esp. in beginning a quarrel or war: The dictator resorted to armed aggression | He called for an end to foreign aggression against his country.
• Forceful and sometimes overly assertive pursuit of one's aims and interests.

ORIGIN: Early 17th century (in the sense [an attack] ): From Latin aggressio(n-), from aggredi ‘to attack,’ from ad- ‘toward’ + gradi ‘proceed, walk.’