   |
|
afrol.com, 11 August - The Security Council this afternoon expressed its grave concern at the linkages between the illicit trade in natural resources and armed conflict, as well as linkages between the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and armed conflict, which could prolong armed conflict and intensify its impact on children. It expressed its intention to consider taking appropriate steps, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. Unanimously adopting resolution 1314 (2000), the Council underlined the importance of giving consideration to the special needs and vulnerabilities of girls affected by armed conflict, including those heading households, orphaned, sexually exploited and used as combatants. The Council urged that their human rights, protection and welfare be incorporated in the development of policies and programmes, including those for prevention, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. It reaffirmed its readiness to continue to include child protection advisers in future peacekeeping operations. The Council further urged all parties to armed conflict to respect international law regarding the rights and protection of children in armed conflict. It urged Member States in a position to do so to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The Council also urged Member States and parties to armed conflict to provide protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, the vast majority of whom were women and children. The Council also urged all parties to armed conflict to abide by the concrete commitments made to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. By the terms of the resolution, the Council urged Member States and relevant parts of the United Nations system to strengthen the capacities of national institutions and local civil society for ensuring the sustainability of local initiatives for the protection of children. It called upon all parties to armed conflict to ensure the full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all children affected by such conflict. By the same terms, the Council requested parties to armed conflict to include provisions for the protection of children, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of child combatants, in peace negotiations and in peace agreements, and the involvement of children in those processes. It called on Member States, relevant parts of the United Nations system, and civil society to encourage the involvement of young persons in programmes for peace consolidation and peace-building. It also indicated its willingness, when imposing measures under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, to consider assessing the potential unintended consequences of sanctions on children and to take appropriate steps to minimize such consequences.
Article 41 states that "The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures ...
." Source: UN
|
