Sumario: January 14, 2003: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Adamantios Th. Vassilakis, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, at the open meeting of the Security Council. FIFTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - SECURITY COUNCIL: Children in Armed Conflict (New York)
Mr. President,
As this is my first intervention before the Security Council this year, I would like to congratulate you for the assumption of the Presidency, as well as to extend my warm congratulations to the representatives of the new members of the Council, Angola, Chile, Germany, Pakistan and Spain.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding states Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union, Bulgaria and Romania, as well as the EFTA Country of the European Economic Area, Iceland, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
It is a cruel fact that armed conflicts affect a large number of children in many parts of the World. Many of them are uprooted from their homes, maimed or killed. Others are orphaned, abused or exploited. Especially girls are at risk of being subjected to sexual violence during violent conflicts - such as rape and enslavement. Children are recruited, trained - and forced to kill. Malnutrition of children increases rapidly because of falling food production and displacement. Mortality rates of
infants and children rise dramatically. Access to schooling is seriously restricted.
This entails that lives of generations of children growing up in conflict-affected areas are hampered - and this in a multitude of ways, both hindering their physical as well as their social and emotional growth.
We risk losing generations because of conflict. This is not only a human tragedy of immense proportions. It is also a tragedy for the countries concerned - these children are needed to ensure the continued development of their countries. We must face this challenge and ensure our swiftest actions.
Mr. President,
The European Union was satisfied that Security Council Resolution 1379/2001 clearly reflected the Secretary-General's concise report on children and armed conflict. The resolution is a valuable example of Council engagement in enhancing the rights of the child.
The EU calls on all parties to armed conflict to respect international law relating to the rights and protection of children. Only by concerted international efforts can we ensure an improved protection of the rights of the child. We also call on Member states to put an end to impunity for war crimes or other serious crimes perpetrated against children.
Last February the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict went into force. The optional protocol constitutes a remarkable step forward in the international community's efforts to put an end to recruiting children for armed conflict. The European Union urges States, which have not yet done so, to ratify and implement the Optional Protocol.
Another important step is the provision in the Statute of the International Criminal Court, which classifies enlisting children as a war crime. This covers both conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 years into any kind of armed forces or groups - as well as making them participate actively in hostilities. We urge all States, who have not yet done so, to consider ratifying and fully implement the Statute.
At the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children, children told us that they wanted us to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They are impatient and for a good reason: An enormous gap exists between the good intentions of international treaties and the real-life conditions of poverty, neglect, involvement in armed conflict. Millions of children worldwide are exploited. In spite of progress in some areas, much remains to be done.
The EU will seek to reinforce international action in all appropriate forums against recruiting and using children in armed conflict. We will focus on early warning of children's rights violations - but also look at improved UN monitoring and rehabilitation activities, both regionally, bilaterally and locally. Furthermore, we will insist on special protection of girls in armed conflict and more effective measures to fight impunity.
The European Union wishes to express its support for the work of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. The Office has done an impressive work in raising worldwide awareness and mobilizing official and public support for the protection of children affected by armed conflict.
We also recognize the importance of the work carried out by the United Nations Children's Fund, the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is also worth mentioning UNIFEM and its report "Women, War and Peace". It is essential that the endeavours of these organizations receive adequate support of Member States - although it still remains Member States' responsibility to implement all obligations flowing from international
treaties and instruments.
When discussing last year's resolution, the EU welcomed the important tasks set out for the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations. We believe that the funds and programmes, as part of their assistance programmes, can contribute significantly to promoting the rights and the protection of children - as well as ensuring the rehabilitation of children affected by armed conflict.
The needs of children in conflict situations are many. At the same time we should recognize the unimaginable resources that children and young people possess - even in the most difficult of circumstances. Apart from being victims, they also have the potential of contributing to reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Mr. President,
The EU wants to welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General, and the Council itself, of integrating the protection of children into the mandates for UN peacekeeping and peace-building operations. Including child protection staff in peacekeeping and peace-building operations is a promising new element.
We would welcome a comprehensive assessment of the scope and effectiveness of the UN system response, including recommendations for strengthening, mainstreaming and sustaining activities in relation to protecting children in armed conflict.
The promotion of peace is the overriding responsibility for all countries as well as for this Council. But as long as armed conflicts are a reality, we have a duty to promote the protection as well as defend the rights of its most vulnerable victims, the children. The UN system as a whole has a strong role to play in this regard, and we owe it to the children of the world to mobilize its full potential.
Τhank you, Mr. President.
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