Statements Security Council Security Council Debate on Children and Armed Conflict - Statement by Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations - Page 2
| Security Council Debate on Children and Armed Conflict - Statement by Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations - Page 2 |
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| Thursday, 17 July 2008 13:39 | |||||
Page 2 of 2 First, bringing in under the Security Council mandate other categories and sub-categories of violations against children without resolving the core issue of child recruitment would only render the Council process on children and armed conflict seem ineffective for “missing wood for trees”. Instead, the Council could, for instance, address more relevant issues to its work on peace and security, like how armed actors resort to new tactics of recruitment, to defy and confuse international attention based on existing norms. We have observed this discernible trend in the North of Sri Lanka, where the LTTE submits school children to compulsory weapons and combat-training, with a view to enlisting them for active combat as and when the need arises. This is a new form of recruitment and use of child combatants adopted by the LTTE. Second, it is important to underline that, as compared to member States, non-state actors are not bound by internationally enforceable legal instruments, and therefore, should be subjected to stricter scrutiny and more rigorous and internationally enforceable punitive measures in order to make them accountable for grave abuses against children. Third, since the primary responsibility for protection of children under national and international legal instruments lies with the State, a policy of zero- tolerance on recruitment and use of children by whosoever, assumes greater significance, as an obligation of a State. The Government of Sri Lanka has declared and followed this policy consistently, with its corresponding commitment to address all abuses identified by Resolution 1612 as well as other relevant national and international legal instruments. Fourth, the Council and the Working Group must agree on how to deal with persistent and recalcitrant violators in respect of situations listed in the Secretary-General’s report, and evolve a realistic approach to address this issue. In this regard, we support the recommendation made by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2007/757), calling for increased pressure against persistent and recalcitrant violators, including through effective targeted measures. Fifth, most important of all measures that underpin the effective implementation of 1612 is reintegration of child combatants. They need special protection for having surrendered to national authorities or having been rescued from armed groups. As the Secretary-General suggests in his report (S/2007/757), successful reintegration of child combatants requires resources as well as expertise. It is imperative, therefore, that current international concern in this important area moves beyond words of sympathy into sustained engagement and flow of necessary resources to facilitate effective reintegration. The Paris Principles, in this regard, provide guidance towards a long-term self-sustaining effort that can lead to peacebuilding and reconciliation as well. Sri Lanka remains committed to working closely with the Council and the Working Group to rescue children trapped in situations of armed conflict for the cause of making the world safer for children. With our rich long-held traditions of promoting the welfare of children including provision of free healthcare and education from primary to tertiary level, we seek nothing less. |
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