The European Union and its Member States have called on Syria's transitional government to prevent forced recruitment of children under 18 into armed forces and to prosecute those responsible, in a statement delivered on 9 June 2026 at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The EU also urged measures to stop child trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation, and to improve access to education for all children, particularly girls and those in conflict-affected areas.
The statement, delivered to the Committee on Application of Standards, addresses Syria's compliance with the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182). The EU acknowledged the political change in Syria following the end of the Assad regime and the establishment of a transitional government, noting efforts to resume control of territory and assume international obligations despite the legacy of war and dictatorship.
The EU welcomed information on measures to prevent and criminalise the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, and noted a reported 18 per cent decrease in children involved in armed conflict from 2023 to 2024, according to the UN Secretary-General's 2025 annual report. However, the EU expressed deep concern over the large number of children still deprived of education due to insecurity, and encouraged the government to increase school enrolment and attendance, especially for girls and children in rural areas.
The EU recommended time-bound measures to prevent child engagement in armed conflict and to rehabilitate and integrate former child combatants. It also encouraged further exchanges between the transitional government and the ILO to implement the Committee of Experts' recommendations and make use of technical assistance.
The statement was also aligned with by candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Republic of Moldova, as well as Norway and the United Kingdom.
The transitional government faces pressure to enforce laws against child recruitment and trafficking, requiring institutional capacity and resources. Children in Syria stand to benefit from improved protection and education access, though implementation depends on security conditions. The ILO may see increased demand for technical assistance. The EU reinforces its role as a human rights advocate, but the statement carries no binding enforcement mechanism.