A/68/267 actors to take into account children’s issues and concerns in their political efforts. In the light of their ongoing involvement in conflict prevention and mediation, regional organizations have an important role to play in championing children’s rights and interests in peacemaking processes. E. Strengthening national capacity to address violations against children 88. The continuing development of national legislation criminalizing violations against children is another encouraging gain for the children and armed conflict agenda and is often a direct result of the implementation of an action plan. In that regard, the Special Representative welcomes the efforts of the Governments of Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Philippines and their notable progress on strengthening national legislation related to children and armed conflict during the reporting period. 89. Investigations, prosecutions and trials of adult perpetrators of grave violations against children have remained extremely rare overall, however. Ending impunity for grave violations is a crucial element in enforcing compliance by parties with international obligations to protect children. The weak capacity of justice systems in countries affected by conflict requires specific support to ensure institutional responses to the needs of children affected by armed conflict. 90. Therefore, even when adequate legal and policy frameworks to protect children exist, they seldom translate into effective legal protection. To ensure that violations against children are addressed, rule of law programming and justice sector reform initiatives should include a short-term focus on creating a rapid response capacity in the criminal justice system. Swift accountability for violations against children is not only an important deterrent to ongoing violations, but also contributes to fostering a culture of national reconciliation in the longer term. 91. The United Nations and its partners continue to have an important role to play in this regard by ensuring that the legal protection of children is adequately taken into account when planning and funding capacity-building efforts in the area of reforming the justice sector. F. Arms Trade Treaty and opportunities for child protection 92. The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty by the General Assembly in its resolution 67/234 B in April constitutes an important opportunity for child protection. There is long-standing awareness of the link between the global trade in conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons, and grave violations committed against children in conflict situations. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons, fostered by the inadequate regulation of the global arms trade, exacerbates conflicts and disproportionately affects children. Solid evidence also exists of the correlation between the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the widespread practice of recruitment and use of children in conflict. 93. Significantly, the Treaty recognizes the link between the arms trade and the effects of conflict on children. Small arms and light weapons fall under the scope of 16/18 13-41862