SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT CALLS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1314 (2000) "PLAN OF ACTION FOR WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN"

Press Release
HR/4490
SC/6909

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT CALLS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1314 (2000) ‘PLAN OF ACTION FOR WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN’

New York, 11 August (Office of the Special Representative) -- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu, has welcomed a new Security Council resolution, describing it as a "plan of action for those working to protect children in situations of conflict".

"Resolution 1314 (2000) is a powerful tool and action plan for our work", said Mr. Otunnu. "Its significance lies in the fact that that it builds on last year's landmark resolution 1261 (1999) by embracing an impressive array of specific, targeted and new measures for the protection of children in conflict. These include tackling the illicit trade in conflict diamonds and other natural resources, addressing the plight of the internally displaced, the particular vulnerability of girls, ending impunity for war crimes against children, and the release of abducted children."

In August 1999, the Security Council adopted resolution 1261, which formally established that the protection of children in situations of conflict is a peace- and-security concern which constitutes a legitimate preoccupation for the Security Council.

In resolution 1314 (2000), the Security Council emphasizes the responsibility of all countries to exclude from amnesty arrangements anyone responsible for grave crimes against children. It calls for measures against the illicit trade in natural resources such as diamonds, which fuel war machines and contribute to the massive victimization of children.

The resolution calls for greater protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons -- most of whom are children and women -- and stresses the importance of addressing the special needs and vulnerabilities of girls affected by armed conflict. It also calls for intensified efforts to obtain the release of abducted children.

Resolution 1314 (2000) pays particular attention to regional organizations; it encourages increased regional and cross-border initiatives on child soldiers and the illicit traffic in small arms, as well as the systematic development of child protection policies and programmes. It also calls for the strengthening of capacities of national institutions and civil society for the protection of children.

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The resolution urges States to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, a new treaty which raises the age for compulsory recruitment and participation in conflict from 15 to 18. Eight countries have so far signed the Protocol.

Recognizing a key innovation within the United Nations system, the resolution undertakes to include Child Protection Advisers in future peacekeeping operations. It also calls for greater participation by young persons themselves in peace programmes.

The resolution also urges parties to armed conflict to abide by commitments that they have made to the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and other United Nations bodies for the protection of children in zones of conflict. Since his mandate began in 1997, the Special Representative has secured a number of commitments from warring parties, including pledges not to recruit child soldiers, not to attack schools, hospitals or other civilian sites and not to use landmines.

Resolution 1314 (2000) followed the publication on 19 July by Secretary- General Kofi Annan of a comprehensive report (S/2000/712), which was mandated by last August's resolution 1261 (1999). Many of the new resolution's provisions follow specific recommendations made in the Secretary-General's report, which was the subject of an open debate in the Security Council on 26 July.

For more information, contact Fergus Nicoll in the Office of the Special Representative: tel: (212)-963-8460; e-mail: .

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