Statement by Chairman of Security Council Working Group

 

on Children and Armed Conflict

 

At its thirty-fourth meeting on 5 October 2012, the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict agreed, in connection with the examination of the fourth report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Sudan (document S/2012/413), to address the following message to all the parties to the armed conflict in South Sudan mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General through a public statement by the Chair of the Working Group:

(a)   Expressing deep concern regarding the continuing violations and abuses committed against children in South Sudan by all parties to the conflict, and urging the immediate implementation of the previous conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict on the situation in the Sudan (S/AC.51/2007/5; S/AC.51/2008/7 and S/AC.51/2009/5) as relevant to South Sudan;

(b)   Welcoming the signing of a new action plan on 12 March 2012 by the Government of South Sudan to end the recruitment and use of children and, in that regard, strongly urging the Government to immediately implement the action plan to halt the recruitment and use of children by SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army], and to release all children within its ranks in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005), 1882 (2009) and 1998 (2011) as a matter of priority;

(c)   Expressing deep concern regarding the killing and maiming and abduction of children as a result of armed conflict and calling upon the Government to ensure that effective steps are taken to ensure accountability for violations committed;

(d)   Also expressing deep concern regarding the reports of an increased number of cases of rape and sexual violence against children, especially by SPLA, and urging national authorities to end impunity through rigorous and timely investigation and prosecution, strengthen prevention efforts and ensure effective support to the victims of sexual violence;

(e)   Further expressing deep concern regarding reported incidents of attacks against schools and hospitals by SPLA and the Lord’s Resistance Army, and urging the Government to make all efforts to ensure the protection of schools and/or hospitals, and protected persons in relation to them, against attacks or threats of attacks;

(f)   Welcoming the adoption of the Child Act of South Sudan and encouraging the Government of South Sudan to consider taking the necessary steps to express its consent to be bound by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict;

(g)   Urging the Government of South Sudan, in cooperation with the United Nations and the donor community, to prioritize long-term reintegration and rehabilitation for children affected by armed conflict through, inter alia, investment in youth programmes to ensure the constructive engagement of children and youth in national capacity-building efforts.

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For information media • not an official record