UNICEF slams "grave violation" of children's rights in Ukraine

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday condemned in the strongest possible terms the "grave violations" of children's rights in Ukraine.

The UN agency expressed deep concern over the unrest in Ukraine and highlighted its damaging impact on the lives of children.

"We know that children have been involved in violent demonstrations and we are examining reports of children being killed and injured in Odessa," UNICEF said in a statement.

It noted it was "dangerous and detrimental" to a child's health and wellbeing to be witness to or become swept up in violence.

UNICEF highlighted an increase in the demand for psycho-social services for children in Ukraine alongside the disruption of access to education and health services.

The agency called on all parties to do their utmost to maintain services for children and their families, and to make sure that children were not involved or used in demonstrations or witnesses to violence.

Violence continues in eastern and southern Ukraine with recent clashes between pro and anti-government protesters in the southern city of Odessa claiming at least 43 lives.