EU Statement UN Security Council: Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict

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EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict

26.06.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

26 June 2024, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the UN, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict: How to advance our collective norms towards protecting children and ending all grave violations.

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina*and Georgia, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The recent Secretary-General's report on Children and Armed Conflict paints a deeply concerning and disturbing picture: Violations against children in armed conflict are on the rise around the globe. It shows a significant increase of all six grave violations affecting children the most in times of war. We all know what these are, but let's take a moment to truly think about their implications for children's lives:

• killing and maiming
• recruitment or use in armed forces and armed groups
• sexual violence
• abduction
• attacks against schools and/or hospitals
• denial of humanitarian access.

It is impossible to imagine that anyone in this Chamber might approve of such actions being committed against the youngest and most vulnerable members of our societies. Yet, we clearly struggle to put an end to these violations. This is unacceptable.

The EU urges all parties to armed conflict to uphold their obligations under international law and take concrete steps to prevent violations against children. The fight against impunity is essential in this context. Perpetrators must be held accountable, and there must be zero tolerance for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We call on States to hold those responsible to account, and encourage cooperation with international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court.

Looking at the Secretary-General's report in more detail, Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups continue to be listed as responsible for committing grave violations against children. The report outlines a range of grave violations committed in the context of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, including in particular killing and maiming, and abductions. We reiterate our call upon the Russian Federation to abide by its international obligations, to step up its efforts to protect children, and to facilitate the immediate return of all Ukrainian children that have been abducted and are being held against their or their legitimate guardians' will.

We also take note of the grave violations committed against children in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory on and in the aftermath of 7 October 2023. We are appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, particularly children, the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as the imminent risk of famine caused by insufficient humanitarian access. The European Union urges respect for international law obligations and increased efforts to protect children. Preventing further loss of life is an absolute priority. An immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a surge of humanitarian assistance to Gaza are urgently needed. We remain firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution.

We are moreover extremely alarmed by the deteriorating situation for children in the context of the spiralling violence in Sudan, and worried by the challenges humanitarian actors face when seeking to access children in need. The denial of humanitarian access to children constitutes one of the six grave violations and also a violation of international humanitarian law. It is essential that all parties fulfil their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of all children in Sudan, and cease hostilities as recalled during the International Conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries organised in Paris on 15^th April.

Mr President,

The EU remains a staunch supporter of the CAAC mandate and welcomes ongoing efforts to strengthen preventative measures, including joint as well as national action plans. We call for the expansion of such initiatives, and urge all parties to fully implement them. We also underline the critical importance of the sustainable reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces or groups. We join the Secretary-General's call for renewed efforts in this area.

The UN's CAAC tools are needed more than ever. We call upon all Member States to reaffirm their commitments to the international legal framework protecting children in conflict situations, including through the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and considering endorsement of the Paris Principles and the Safe Schools Declaration. We also want to stress the need to protect the right to education as stated in UNSC Resolution 2601, and to increase financial support for the UN's Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism and for child protection capacities in UN peace operations. We call upon all parties to conflicts and member states to fully cooperate with the MRM.

Just two days ago, the EU adopted a significant update to its own CAAC Guidelines. This update - the first since 2008 - is a significant step forward in the EU's unwavering commitment to the CAAC agenda, outlining a shared policy and operational framework for the EU Member States and all EU institutions working in this area.

The Guidelines are a comprehensive toolbox for EU action to address child protection in armed conflict, including conflict prevention, humanitarian aid, political engagement, long-term peacebuilding efforts, and crisis management missions and operations.

In parallel, we updated the Checklist for the Integration of Protection of Children Affected by Armed Conflict into our Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations, a hands-on tool providing guidance for the planning and conduct of operational activities for our more than twenty crisis management missions.

Both documents acknowledge the evolving landscape of armed conflict. The updates include an emphasis on implementation responsibilities, strengthening capacity and coordination among all actors in a humanitarian-development-peace nexus; sustainable funding and resources; stronger legal and policy frameworks for accountability; acknowledging the critical role of education as well as psychosocial and mental health services; and challenging harmful norms that impede child protection.

Two months ago, during the UNSC open debate on conflict-related sexual violence, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira asked us a chilling question. She demanded to know whether "fighting our wars on the bodies of our most vulnerable is a tactic of war". The answer to this question has to be no. The ongoing suffering of children in armed conflict demands our unwavering action. The EU stands ready to work with our partners to ensure a future where all children are protected from the horrors of war.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.