On Wednesday, March 25, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will hold an Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, which will take place under the presidency of France. The theme of the Open Debate will focus on child victims of non-state armed actors (ANSAs). This will be the first Open Debate to focus on actions and tools Member States may constructively use to end and prevent grave violations against children by ANSAs.
Bearing in mind the variety of ANSAs, the Security Council must use the appropriate actions and tools for ending and preventing violations of children’s rights by armed groups. Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict recommends the UNSC and Member States to call for the following:
- Facilitate the opportunity for ANSAs to sign and implement action plans and/or other protective measures;
- Consider children and armed conflict in the peacemaking process;
- Expand the Security Council Resolution 1612 listing criteria to include abductions;
- Promote safe schools and end the military use of schools;
- Consider children and armed conflict in UN-mandated peace and political missions; and
- Increase effectiveness of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.
Read Watchlist’s Special Update for the March 2015 Open Debate.
