See Terms of Reference under 3 May 2006.
See also Addresses by the Working Group to specific individuals and armed groups, e.g., 20 July 2007.
26 July 2005
Resolution 1612 by the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
Relevant Passages: “Gravely concerned by the documented links between the use of child soldiers in violation of applicable international law and the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and stressing the need for all States to take measures to prevent and to put an end to such trafficking.”
“Requests the Secretary-General to implement without delay, the [monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict].”
31 July 2005
Olara Otunnu’s term as special representative expires.
7 Sept. 2005
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
9 Dec. 2005
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
2006
Graça Machel’s 10-Year Strategic Review: “Children and Conflict in a Changing World”; follow-up to the landmark study, “The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children” Recommendations include:
“End impunity for violations against children”
“Prioritize children’s security”
“Integrate children’s rights in peacemaking, peacebuilding and preventive actions”
(See also 13 Aug. 2007, when the review is presented to the General Assembly of the United Nations.)
7 Feb. 2006
Radhika Coomaraswamy is appointed to the position of special representative for children and armed conflict to the secretary general.
3 May 2006
Terms of reference of the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict Relevant Passage: “The Working Group will examine information on compliance and progress in ending the recruitment and use of children and other violations being committed against children in situations of armed conflict.”
13 June 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
10 July 2006
Report on the activities of the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict since the adoption of resolution 1612 on 26 July 2005
24 July 2006
Statement by the president of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
17 Aug. 2006
Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
17 Aug. 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Sudan
8 Sept. 2006
Security Council Working Group Toolkit and Conclusions on parties in the armed conflict of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
25 Oct. 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire
26 Oct. 2006
Annual Report of the secretary general to the Security Council of the United Nations, including report on Children and Armed Conflict
27 Oct. 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Burundi
9 Nov. 2006
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
28 Nov. 2006
Statement by the president of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
1 Dec. 2006
Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict: Conclusions on parties in the armed conflict in the Sudan
20 Dec. 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Nepal
20 Dec. 2006
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka
2007
Outcome document from above conference: “The Paris Principles: Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups” Relevant Passages: “‘Child’ refers to any person less than 18 years of age.”
“Ending impunity for those responsible for unlawfully recruiting or using children in armed conflict, and the existence of mechanisms to hold such individuals to account can serve as a powerful deterrent against such violations.”
“Children who are accused of crimes under international law allegedly committed while they were associated with armed forces or armed groups should be considered primarily as victims of offences against international law; not only as perpetrators.”
“Children should not be prosecuted by an international court or tribunal.”
“Alternatives to judicial proceedings should be sought for children at the national level.”
“If national judicial proceedings take place, children are entitled to the highest standards of safeguards available according to international law and standards and every effort should be made to seek alternatives to placing the child in institutions.”
“Where large numbers of people are facing criminal proceedings as a result of armed conflict, the processing of the cases of children and of mothers who have children with them in detention should take priority.”
5 Feb. 2007
International Conference: Free Children from War
Fifty-eight governments gather in Paris to commit to protecting children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups.
Relevant Passage: “While progress is being made, it is also true that today, in over 30 situations of concern around the globe, children are being brutalized and callously used to advance the agendas of adults. It has been estimated that over 2 million children have been killed in situations of armed conflict; another 6 million have been permanently disabled; and more than a quarter of a million children continue to be exploited as child soldiers. Thousands of girls are being subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence and exploitation, and girls and boys are being abducted from their homes and communities. Schools and hospitals, which should be safe havens for children, are also increasingly becoming the targets of attack by armed groups.” –Radhika Coomaraswamy
7 Feb. 2007
Report to the Human Rights Council of the Office of the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict
13 Feb. 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Burundi
13 Feb. 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Côte d’Ivoire
7 May 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Uganda
7 May 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia
15 June 2007
Statement by the Chair of the Security Council Working Group, addressed to the leadership of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal and its military wing, the Karuna Faction.
15 June 2007
Statement by the Chair of the Security Council Working Group, addressed to the leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
15 June 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Sri Lanka
15 June 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Nepal
20 June 2007
First judgments for the Special Court for Sierra Leone Relevant Passages: Alex Tamba Brima and two other militia leaders of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council are convicted on eleven charges including the conscripting or enlisting of children under the age of fifteen years into armed forces or groups, or using them to participate actively in hostilities.
This is the first time an international court convicts on charges relating to child soldiers, and sets an important precedent.
&nb
sp; 28 June 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
3 July 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Chad
10 July 2007
Annual Report on the Activities of the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
20 July 2007
Statement by the Chair of the Security Council Working Group, addressed to all parties to the conflict in Somalia
20 July 2007
Statement by the Chair of the Security Council Working Group: Message to the head of the Lord’s Resistance Army delegation to the Juba peace talks through a public statement to be transmitted by the Special Envoy for the areas affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army
20 July 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Uganda
20 July 2007
Security Council Working Group Conclusions on Somalia
13 Aug. 2007
Report of the special representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations, including the Machel 10-Year Strategic Review
Relevant Passages: “Many conflicts last longer than the duration of childhood. The present report focuses on children, but at times analysis is extended to youth, defined by the General Assembly to be those aged 15 to 24. We should recognize the capacities and agency of children and youth, and avoid characterizing children and youth as vulnerable or as delinquents who pose a threat to security. Moreover, adults are responsible for environments of conflict and violence.”
“While at the normative level there has been significant progress in addressing the recruitment or use of child soldiers in the last decade, large numbers of boys and girls continue to serve as fighters, cooks, porters and messengers, and to be used for sexual purposes. Since 2002, the Secretary-General has listed parties that recruit or use children in situations of armed conflict in 18 countries. That estimate is at the lower end; in 2004 the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers identified 43 countries where either illegal recruitment or use was indicated.”
“Over the past several years, the international community has focused concerted attention on the scourge of child soldiering, and I have prioritized this issue to ensure that the strong momentum that now exists is maintained and begins to yield more concrete results in terms of the application of international standards to put an end to this practice. I have also given special priority to girls in conflict because their plight, circumstances and experiences are often the most desperate, and at the same time they are often the most marginalized and stigmatized because of the abuses that have been perpetrated against them.”
“… deeply concerned by the extent of sexual violence in the eastern part of the country [DRC] and the climate of impunity that prevails for such crimes. I visited Panzi hospital and spoke with many girls who had been subjected to multiple rapes and humiliation.”
“Widespread rape or other grave sexual violence continues to be committed in virtually every conflict situation and can take the form of sexual slavery, forced prostitution, sexual mutilation or other forms of brutality. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a climate of impunity has resulted in rampant sexual violence, with children representing an alarming 33 per cent of victims.”
“Attacks against schools or hospitals, including the occupation, shelling or destruction of facilities, as well as harm to personnel, have risen dramatically in recent years. Such attacks not only directly harm the individuals involved but severely limit others’ access to basic services.”
“A number of other conflict-related issues not listed among the six grave violations have a significant impact on children’s lives. Illegal detention has been highlighted as a violation requiring greater attention.”
“Too often, reintegration efforts inappropriately single out children who in the past were recruited, thereby perpetuating stigma. Likewise, cash benefits for returning children can be seen as rewarding their involvement in violence. To the extent possible, reintegration efforts should benefit all affected children, rather than select groups. A useful approach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone has involved the provision of materials to schools accepting demobilized children, thus benefiting all students.”
29 Aug. 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Sudan
30 Aug. 2007
Report of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire
24 Sept. 2007
Security Council Working Group–Conclusions on Chad
1 Oct. 2007
Address to the Ministerial Meeting on Children and Armed Conflict
25 Oct. 2007
Security Council Working Group–Conclusions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo
16 Nov. 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Myanmar
28 Nov. 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Burundi
21 Dec. 2007
Annual Report of the secretary general to the Security Council of the United Nations including Report on Children and Armed Conflict
21 Dec. 2007
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka
1 Feb. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire
12 Feb. 2008
Statement by the president of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
15 Feb. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on parties to the situation of armed conflict in Burundi
20 Feb. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on parties in the armed conflict in the Sudan
22 Feb. 2008
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
25 Mar. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Côte d’Ivoire–Corrigendum
18 Apr. 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Nepal
24 Apr. 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Philippines
30 May 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia
23 June 2008
Additional Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Uganda
27 June 2008
Report to the Human Rights Council of the Office of the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict
11 July 2008
Annual Report on the Activities of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict
17 July 2008
The Security Council holds an open debate on children and armed conflict.
Relevant Passages: Adopts a presidential statement “condemning equally the six gravest violations against children in conflict:
1. Killing or maiming
2. Recruitment or use of child soldiers
3. Rape and other forms of sexual violence
4. Abduction
5. Attacks against schools or hospitals
6. Denial of humanitarian access.”
17 July 2008
Statement by the president of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
25 July 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Myanmar
6 Aug. 2008
Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
7 Aug. 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Co
nflict in Chad
3 Oct. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in the Philippines
21 Oct. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka
10 Nov. 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
10 Nov. 2008
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict in Afghanistan
5 Dec. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Nepal
5 Dec. 2008
Conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Uganda
5 Dec. 2008