”Those of us who put our children to sleep every night are the lucky ones.”

Those of us who pot our children to sleep in a warm bed every night are the lucky ones. Under a safe roof. And above all… alive and well.

This is a rough translation of a quote that algorithms have been suggesting to me on social media for quite some time now. Yes, I could agree with what many of you have probably thought. Yes, it sounds mean. But it is actually so very real.

Children are among our most vulnerable groups of people. The most – if not the only – innocent group of people. The group that should actually enjoy this part of their lives without a care in the world. To explore the world. Which should be less crazy, by the way.

They should be allowed to grow up. With as much love as possible and even more positive, inspiring role models.

And yet, so many times their stories go un(told) and their voices un(heard). There is so much abuse, so much torture, trauma, shame. So many murders.

Today is World Children’s Day. Today is the day to underline their rights, achievements and progress. Their health, their happiness, their future. Their safety. Under no circumstances taken for granted.

This year’s commemoration comes in the midst of growing conflicts. Wars. In the midst of Israel’s retaliatory inappropriate aggression, which has left at least 5 500 children dead in just over a month.

It is not enough to merely criticise this incomprehensible horror. That is why I will use this year’s World Children’s Day – which is a world day under the auspices of the United Nations – to call on that very organisation to finally take the next sensible step: to set up a special international war crimes tribunal for war crimes against children.

And an appeal to national, world leaders: be the responsible, good examples I mentioned earlier. Sanction those who are not.

– Irena