UN chief calls for action against child violence

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today asked the Security Council to take firm action against those who recruit children as soldiers and commit acts of violence against them. 

 "I urge the Council to consider action to strike a blow against this impunity, and stop these violators from continuing to victimise children," Ban said while presenting a report which listed 56 states and armed groups that recruit child soldiers and commit other grave violations.  

The UN chief appealed to all countries to ensure that protection of children in armed conflict is placed above all other considerations, such as politics.  Ban said he has witnessed "unbearable suffering" when he visited Congo, adding he had never "been so outraged" as when he spoke with girls who had been sexually victimised during the conflict in the vast African nation.  

At the end of a day-long debate, the Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to address the widespread impact of armed conflict on children.  In a presidential statement, the Security Council expressed its intention to consider bolstering its measures to protect war-affected children by targeting parties who not only recruited them as combatants, but those who killed, maimed, raped or committed other grave sexual violence against them, with the expectation of taking action on the matter by the end of July.

The statement called on parties on the "list of shame" which have not yet done so to prepare and implement steps to halt recruitment and use of children in war.  It also urged member states to "take decisive and immediate action against persistent perpetrators of violations against children, and to bring to justice those responsible for the recruitment and use of children in violation of applicable international law and other violations."  

"Millions of children around the world continue to be impacted by armed conflict," Ann M Veneman, Executive Director of UN Children's Fund, said, calling for increased adherence to international humanitarian law and respect for children's rights.  Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, told the Council that there are now child protection advisers serving with the world body's eight "most significant" missions.  

The Department has committed itself to ensuring that children are provided with "prospects for lasting, sustainable peace," he said, underlining the importance of close cooperation among UN agencies and offices.