UNITED NATIONS (AA) - UN chief's special representative for children and armed conflict held a press meeting on Wednesday on a latest UN report on war-affected children, saying that despite some degree of improvement in certain parts of the world situation in countries such as Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic was of grave concern with children facing "unprecedented threats".
"We have seen positive developments in some areas of the world, but also extremely worrying situations in places such as Syria, Mali and Central African Republic," Leila Zerrougui told reporters in New York.
The UN report names parties that engage in the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, the killing and maiming of children in violation of international law, recurrent attacks on schools and hospitals or recurrent attacks or threats of attack against protected personnel.
This year, the list includes 55 armed forces and groups from 14 countries, including 11 new parties in the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Syria.
On Syria, the regime forces as well as intelligence services especially tortured boys using electroshock and sexually attacked them as some children were taken hostage to blackmail their family members battling government forces into surrendering.
The report also covered the statements of a 16-year-old child who said his 14-year-old friend was raped by forces loyal to the Syrian government at a prison then was killed.
Children aged between 15 and 17 were being used in conflicts by the Free Syrian Army as well, the report said, urging both parties -- Syrian army and opposition forces -- to leave children out of the conflict.
