Statement by Chairman of Security Council Working Group

 

on Children and Armed Conflict

 

At its thirtieth meeting on 2 May 2011, the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict agreed, in connection with the third report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Chad (document S/2011/64), to address the following message to all parties to the conflict in Chad, through a public statement by the Chairman of the Working Group:

(a)            Expressing deep concern regarding the continuing violations and abuses committed against children in Chad by all parties to the conflict, and urging the immediate implementation of the previous conclusions of the Working Group on children and armed conflict in Chad (documents S/AC.51/2007/16 and S/AC.51/2008/15);

(b)            Strongly urging all parties to the conflict, including those armed groups not engaged in the peace process, to immediately halt the recruitment and use of children in violation of applicable international law, and to release all children remaining within their ranks, as called for in Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009);

(c)            Expressing deep concern regarding the killing and maiming of children and other civilians in violation of applicable international law, including as a result of the use of anti-personnel mines, reminding all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international law, and calling upon all non-State armed groups to refrain from using anti-personnel mines, which could cause the killing and maiming of children.

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For information media • not an official record