UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

52^d session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict

16 March 2023

EU Intervention

Mr. President,

The EU thanks the SRSG for her report and work, and reiterates its support for her mandate.

Children continue to be disproportionally affected by armed conflict, which exposes them to unbearable levels of violence, deprives them of their rights and of their childhood, and leaves them scarred for life. This is what the unjustified Russian war of aggression is exposing Ukrainian children to, including due to thousands of reported forcible transfers and deportations of unaccompanied children and illegal adoptions in Russia.

The prevention and elimination of grave violations against children as a result of armed conflict are EU priorities, as is the effective reintegration of affected children. Accountability for these violations must be ensured. Our political commitment to this goal is supported by humanitarian and long-term EU development and peacebuilding projects to assist children impacted by armed violence including in Colombia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Global initiatives, such as the Paris Principles and Commitments, the Vancouver Principles, and the Safe Schools Declaration provide additional tools to protect children’s rights and strengthen child protection, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict. We encourage all Member States to further their commitments by considering endorsement of these initiatives and ratifying the Optional Protocol.

Thank you