Conference
'The essence of childhood has been destroyed'
- Date
- Friday 28 August 2026
- Time
- Explanation
- Doors open at 13.30 Entry with prior registration only
- Location
- Campus Den Haag - Wijnaven Turfmarkt 99 2511 DP Den Haag
- Room
- 2.02
UN report on Israel’s deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023
Background
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (Commission of Inquiry) has published a new report on violations against Palestinian children since 7 October 2023. The report presents grave findings concerning genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, and war crimes in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It underlines the urgent need for accountability, protection, access to justice and effective remedies for children and their families.
For those working in the field of children’s rights, international law and accountability, the report raises profound legal, institutional and ethical questions. Children affected by armed conflict are not only victims of violations. They are rights holders under international law, entitled to protection, care, participation, justice, rehabilitation and reparation.
This event will provide space for legal and academic reflection on the report and its implications. We are honoured that the Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry, Commissioner Srinivasan Muralidhar, will join us to present the report’s key findings and contribute to the discussion. The event will bring together the Commission of Inquiry, legal experts, institutional actors, civil society representatives and child rights advocates to consider what accountability requires in the face of ongoing violations affecting children.
The discussion will ask how international law, including international children’s rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, can contribute not only to documenting violations after the fact, but also to preventing and stopping ongoing violations, recognising the harms suffered by children, ensuring access to justice, and securing meaningful remedies and guarantees of non-repetition. At the same time, the event will look beyond legal accountability alone. It will also reflect on the moral, political and collective dimensions of accountability, including the role and responsibilities of states, institutions, civil society, academia and all of us as part of the international community in responding to serious violations affecting children.
Draft programme
13.30–14.00 | Arrival and registration
14.00–14.30 | Welcome and opening remarks
Welcome by Leiden University
Opening remarks by Prof. Ton Liefaard, UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights, Leiden Law School
14.30–15.00 | Opening presentation: Key findings of the Commission of Inquiry’s report.
Presentation by Commissioner Srinivasan Muralidhar, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
15.00–15.15 | Q&A
15.15–16.00 | Panel I: International legal obligations, institutional responsibility and accountability
This panel will reflect on the report from the perspective of international law, state obligations, international institutions and the role of third states. It will consider the implications of the Commission’s findings for legal and political accountability, the obligations of the international community, and the role of courts, parliaments and multilateral institutions.
Moderated by: Prof. Ann Skelton, Leiden Law School
Speakers:
- His Excellency Mr. Vusi Madonsela, the Embassy of South Africa for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Benoit van Keirsbilck, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Prof. Larissa van den Herik, Leiden Law School
- Representative from Media (TBC)
16.00–16.15 | Intermezzo
16.15 –17.00 | Panel II: Children’s rights, protection, access to justice and effective remedies: What must happen next?
This panel will take a forward-looking approach to the protection of Palestinian children and the pursuit of accountability, justice and recovery. Building on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, it will consider what immediate and longer-term action is required to protect children, prevent further violations, support children and families, and secure access to justice and effective remedies.
The panel will bring together civil society representatives, child rights advocates and practitioners. It will address the role of different actors in documentation, protection, psychosocial support, rehabilitation, reparations and guarantees of non-repetition. Particular attention will be given to how Palestinian children and young people can be meaningfully and safely included in processes that concern their rights, lives and futures.
Moderated by: Prof. Ton Liefaard, Leiden Law School
Speakers:
- Mr. Pim Kraan, Save the Children, The Netherlands
- Prof. Helen Duffy, Leiden Law School/Leiden University
- Representative from Palestine Red Crescent Society (TBC)
17.15–17.30 | Closing remarks
Prof. Ton Liefaard and Prof. Ann Skelton, Leiden Law School
17.30–18.00 | Reception offered together with Save the Children, the Netherlands.