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prohibiting the recruitment and use of children and other grave viol ations have
provided a basis for building renewed momentum.
19. Dialogue and concrete commitments to sign action plans with non -State actors
is currently under way, including in the Central African Republic, Mali, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Sudan, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen. Recent
progress in establishing a dialogue was made with the Al-Houthi/Ansar Allah in
Yemen and the Syrian National Coalition, as well as with armed groups operating in
the Central African Republic and South Sudan.
20. It is important to recognize, however, that non-State actors do not constitute a
homogenous group and that challenges remain in a number of situations where
United Nations engagement is limited or stalled. Such challenges include limitations
in access, ideological convictions, including a lack of incentive or political will to
engage with the United Nations, and an absence of structured chains of command
and identifiable leadership.
21. Achieving cooperation from Governments on the acceptance of a dialo gue
between the United Nations and listed armed groups is crucial as is ensuring that the
United Nations is able to undertake monitoring and follow-up of signed
commitments. A number of Governments have facilitated support from the outset by
granting the United Nations dialogue with armed groups concerning child
protection. In the case of Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Yemen, for
example, the respective Governments facilitated dialogue with certain armed groups
in accordance with Security Council resolution 1612 (2005). The Special
Representative will continue to advocate for access to non-State armed groups and
engage with them through multidimensional strategies to ensure the protection and
well-being of children.
C.
Identifying entry points in mediation and peace processes
22. Addressing grave violations by State and non-State armed groups and
engaging perpetrators on concrete measures to end and prevent such practices must
be made using a case-by-case approach. One suggested strategy of engagement is
the mainstreaming of child protection concerns in mediation and peace processes.
Incorporating specific commitments into political settlements, ceasefire
arrangements, peace agreements and relevant implementation mechanisms can
provide unique opportunities and entry points for the protection of children.
23. When there is an opportunity for dialogue, parties to the conflict should be
prompted to commit to immediately protecting children from all grave violations.
The inclusion of those provisions would pave the way for child protection actors to
implement protection and prevention activities and would open doors for dialogue
with the parties to end and prevent grave violations. In that regard, the cessation-ofhostilities agreement between armed groups in the Central African Republic signed
during the Central African national reconciliation forum, held in Brazzaville on
23 July, is an example of how the inclusion of specific and explicit commitm ents by
signatories constitutes a first step to ensure the protection of children within the
wider political process.
24. Early consideration of children’s issues in peace-making processes can also
facilitate the planning and mobilization of resources. For instance, the release and
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