Statement by H.E. Gary Quinlan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, as delivered 16 June 2010.
(as delivered)
Australia appreciates this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to a robust international framework to address the situation of children in armed conflict. As a member of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict, we are pleased to associate ourselves with the remarks delivered by Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends.
Australia welcomes the report of the Secretary-General. For the first time the report lists parties to conflict on the basis of sexual violence and killing and maiming. In the four months of the reporting period in which these triggers for listing were activated, ten parties were listed on these grounds. This figure, and the fact that the numbers for listing on these bases could be higher in future reporting periods, is of serious concern. All parties to conflict must take urgent action to address these and the other grave violations against children. For this reason, the names of persistent violators should continue to be published. The Council should utilise the full range of tools available to it and take vigilant measures in response to these grave and ongoing violations.
Those who abuse children in times of conflict must not go unpunished. We support the Secretary-General’s call for improved synergies between the Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and its sanctions committees. The Secretary-General’s recommendation to include the issue of children in armed conflict in the mandates of all relevant sanctions committees is also welcome, as is his proposal to include child protection advisers in the expert groups that inform them. Ms Coomaraswamy’s 21 May briefing of the Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions committee set a positive precedent in that regard.
Positive signs of progress in the Secretary-General’s report are a testament to the real change this Council mechanism can effect, in particular the recent release of children in Nepal and the signing by parties in Nepal and the Philippines of time-bound action plans. We express our hope that these and other such plans are translated into genuine efforts on the ground and reaffirm our readiness to support national efforts to do so.
Australia is pleased to assist the United Nations and other partners to address the situation of children in armed conflict in practical ways, particularly in Asia where a significant portion of the work of this Council mechanism is focused. The value of identifying best practices and developing field manuals and training toolkits must be recognised, particularly to help identify tangible ways United Nations country teams can address children’s welfare. UNICEF’s June 2009 ‘All African Workshop’ was an excellent initiative in this regard, and we were pleased to support it.
We value our continued partnership with UNICEF on children and armed conflict including in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Philippines. The news of the recent release of the last Sri Lankan former child soldiers from rehabilitation centres demonstrates the capabilities of this Council mechanism. That these former child soldiers will be provided with the skills and opportunities they will need to forge a sustainable future is particularly pleasing. With Sri Lanka now looking towards a more hopeful future, we trust these children represent a new beginning for their country.
In the Philippines, Australia supports UNICEF to provide education for children in areas affected by armed conflict and we are encouraged by the Secretary-General’s finding that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has taken measures to operationalise its action plan within its ranks – thereby translating words into action. Measures taken by Thailand to protect the safety and enhance the development of children in its southern border provinces are to be commended, including its efforts to reduce significantly attacks on schools - a grave violation against children. Effective information on the prevalence of attacks against schools during situations of armed conflict and strategies for prevention are crucial.
However, these gains must not obscure the fact that there is much more work yet to do. The continued inability of the United Nations to gain access to non-State groups in Myanmar to progress discussions on action plans remains of concern. That being said, we recognise that the ILO continues to have positive and effective presence on ground in Myanmar, and were pleased to see in the Secretary-General’s report that continued operation of the Supplemental Understanding complaints mechanism has produced some results for the protection of children in Myanmar’s conflict areas.
In conclusion, Australia welcomes the improvements reported by the Secretary-General. But further robust efforts and commitments by all member states are needed. Failure to protect and rehabilitate children from harm and exploitation in situations of armed conflict should condemn us all.