Geneva, 1 December 2025 — An in-person event entitled “Unchilding Palestinian Children: Photo Exhibition and Dialogue on Arbitrary Detention” was held on 1 December 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The event was co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Colombia and Defence for Children International (DCI), with the support of the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine, the Permanent Mission of South Africa, the Permanent Mission of Chile, and the Norwegian Rafto Foundation.

The event provided a platform to examine concerns related to the arrest, detention, and prosecution of Palestinian children within Israel’s military judicial system, with a focus on the associated legal and humanitarian implications under international human rights and international humanitarian law.

Combining a photo exhibition with a moderated expert dialogue, the event addressed the impact of military detention on children’s rights, including the right to special protection, physical and mental well-being, and respect for human dignity, as recognized under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international instruments.

A featured element of the event was the photo exhibition “Children of a Lesser God” by photographer Roberto Brancolini. The exhibition, presented alongside documented testimonies from affected children, illustrated experiences associated with night arrests, alleged ill-treatment, and prolonged military court procedures. Legal and diplomatic speakers provided contextual analysis linking these testimonies to international legal standards.

Speakers highlighted patterns of concern regarding compliance with international obligations, referring to reports of practices that may amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Reference was also made to broader conditions affecting Palestinian children, including restrictions on movement, damage to educational and health infrastructure, limited access to medical and psychosocial services, and the cumulative impact of recurrent hostilities and the blockade of Gaza.

Data presented by Defence for Children International indicated that since 2000, approximately 13,000 Palestinian children have been detained and prosecuted through Israel’s military court system, with an estimated 500 to 700 children affected annually. Video testimonies shared during the event, including those of children identified as Walid and Omar, contributed to illustrating the practical implications of these figures.

The event concluded with an announcement that a comprehensive analytical report on the Geneva discussions—containing detailed legal analysis, statistical information, and policy-oriented recommendations—is available for consultation on the relevant website.

Participants included:

• Moderator: Mr. Alex Kamarotos (Defence for Children International)
• Speakers:
  • H.E. Ambassador Gustavo Gallón (Permanent Mission of Colombia)
  • Mr. Khaled Quzmar (DCI–Palestine)
  • Mr. Benoît Van Keirsbilck (UN Committee on the Rights of the Child)
  • H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi (Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine)