Vanessa Frazier, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, concluded a three-day visit to the Syria, where she met with senior government officials, civil society representatives, UN partners and members of the diplomatic community.
The visit, her first official mission to Syria in this capacity, focused on exploring new opportunities for cooperation with the Syrian government to strengthen child protection and expand areas where the UN can provide further support.
Government Commitment to Children
Frazier welcomed what she described as the government’s determination to open a new chapter for Syria with children placed at the center of national priorities. She also praised the government’s reaffirmed commitment to its international obligations on child protection, including recognition of the definition of a child as anyone under 18 and adherence to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
Frazier noted positively that a legal and institutional framework reflecting these commitments is now in place. “Supporting the government in implementing these responsibilities is now a priority,” she said, adding that she sensed “deep hope” in the shared commitment to building a Syria where children are protected, educated and free to shape their future.
She also welcomed the introduction of protocols aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of children by government armed and security forces, emphasizing that enforcement has been made a priority.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
Frazier stressed that unexploded ordnance and landmines remain a major challenge across Syria. She called on donor countries to support both Syrian efforts and UN operations to address the issue. Mine clearance, risk education and awareness campaigns are essential, she said, to enable reconstruction, restore services and ensure children can safely access schools, hospitals and recreational spaces as families return home.
High-Level Meetings
During her visit, Frazier met with Mazhar al-Wais, the Minister of Justice, to discuss efforts aimed at removing Syria from the UN blacklist of parties responsible for grave violations against children and strengthening national child protection mechanisms.
She also held talks with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, the Deputy Minister for Emergency and Disaster Management, Ahmad Qziz, and senior officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Interior. In these meetings, she advocated for reinforcing legal and policy frameworks to further safeguard children’s rights in Syria.
