It is of course possible that information used in those reports is contested and it is important that there are discussions to ensure that reports are as accurate as possible. The Secretary-General has been given a clear mandate to report on and list those parties responsible for grave violations committed against children in armed conflict. But we must make full use of the tools available to us. There are real limits to what we as a Council and as a United Nations can do to change things. Yet far too often we see utter indifference to this suffering of the innocent by those who could make a difference but choose not to. We are all horrified at the way children are used and abused, manipulated and killed their lives blighted, their futures destroyed.
The Secretary-General, Ms Zerrougui and Mr Lake, as well as other speakers have described the places and ways that children are suffering in conflict zones. Its purpose is not simply to criticise or censure, but to drive practical improvements on the ground. Since then, we have established a strong framework to monitor and address violations against children in armed conflict. We thank the Secretary-General for his careful briefing, and Ms Zerrougui and Mr Lake both for their briefings and for their important work in protecting the interests of children.Īs others have noted, it has been 20 years since the Graça Machel Report was released, drawing global attention to the devastating impact of armed conflict on children.
Thank you Mr President, and we congratulate Malaysia for convening this debate and for your leadership of the Council’s working group on Children and Armed Conflict.
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