A/69/212
I. Introduction
1.
In its resolution 68/147, the General Assembly requested the Special
Representative to submit a report on the activities undertaken in discharging her
mandate, including information on field visits, progress made and challenges faced
in the advancement of the children and armed conflict agenda. The present report
highlights progress made over the past year and outlines the immediate priorities, as
well as a longer-term vision, to advance the children and armed conflict agenda in
collaboration with Member States, United Nations entities, regional and subregional
organizations and civil society.
II. Trends and challenges in the children and armed
conflict agenda
2.
Since the creation of the mandate of the Special Representative by the General
Assembly in its resolution 51/77, the plight of children continues to bring the
international community together to end and prevent grave violations against
children in armed conflict. Through enhanced coordination among child protection
actors within and beyond the United Nations system, progress has been achieved at
both the normative and policy levels. The present report highlights the important
new initiatives undertaken and commitments renewed during the period under
review to improve the well-being of children living in the direst of circumstances.
3.
Despite the continued engagement and progress made, the situation of children
affected by armed conflict around the world remains of grave concern. In the
previous report to the General Assembly, the Special Representative highlighted
three crises that marked the reporting period. The past 12 months have witnessed an
escalation of conflict in an increasing number of countries/areas and situations,
including the Central African Republic, Iraq, Nigeria, South Sudan and the Syrian
Arab Republic and, most recently, in the State of Palestine and in Libya. There was
also increased instability in several other situations.
4.
At the time of reporting, the situations in the State of Palestine and in Israel as
well as in Iraq and Libya deteriorated dramatically, while the level of conflict in
South Sudan continued to be alarming. All parties must be held accountable for
violations committed against children, and for the violations that have had a severe
impact on their lives, including attacks on schools, ho spitals and protected
personnel. The high number of civilian casualties in Gaza, of which at least one
quarter have been children, is unacceptable. In Iraq, the recent escalation of
violence and fighting between the Government and armed groups is causing a
significant loss of civilian lives. Sadly, this is coupled with indications that children
are being recruited and used by all sides in the conflict.
5.
Children have been deprived of their most basic rights in many situations.
They have witnessed and sometimes even been forced to commit atrocities. During
the reporting period, attacks against civilians and the conduct of hostilities in
populated areas have resulted in a spike in documented cases of killing and maiming
of children in several situations. Children are being killed in aerial shellings with
barrel bombs or rockets, in attacks carried out with increasingly sophisticated
improvised explosive devices, or are being shot on their way to school.
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