Justice for Children in Armed Conflicts, Justice for All
HLPF Event | 8 July, 11 AM – 1 PM NYC Bahai Conference Room/Hybrid
On 8 July, Defence for Children International (DCI) organised an event entitled “Justice for Children in Armed Conflicts, Justice for All” which took place from 11 AM to 1 PM. The event gathered speakers and experts to discuss the critical issues facing children in conflict zones and the ongoing efforts towards justice and accountability.
Highlights and Key Takeaways
Alex Kamarotos, Defence for Children International (DCI) Alex Kamarotos, serving as the DCI Convener of the NGO Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, shared significant progress related to the establishment of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s (SRSG) mandate and the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM). Created through UN Security Council Resolution 1612 in 2005, the MRM systematically collects information on grave violations against children during conflicts, informing UN reporting and prompting Security Council action. This mechanism operates in countries where conflict parties are listed in the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict.
Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence Against Children Najat Maalla M’jid highlighted the exacerbating impact of extreme weather events on gender inequality and poverty, which often lead families to resort to child marriage as a coping mechanism. As climate hazards increase, child marriage rates rise due to desperation and insecurity. She stressed the importance of early warning systems and equal access to social justice, advocating for an integrated, multi-stakeholder approach to protect children and ensure sustainable peace as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16).
Florence Gaspard, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Children and Armed Conflict Florence Gaspard expressed gratitude to the organisers and reflected on the transformative 2030 Agenda, which encompasses intersections of peace, justice, and children’s rights. She emphasised the SRSG CAAC’s role in raising awareness, collecting information on children affected by war, and fostering international cooperation to enhance their protection. Ms Gaspard noted the successful implementation of around 40 action plans between conflict parties and the UN to prevent attacks on education.
Jamil, Young Refugee from Afghanistan Jamil, a young refugee from Afghanistan living in Greece, shared his experiences. He underscored the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and addressing the root causes of conflicts to ensure that children’s voices are heard and their rights upheld. Unfortunately, there are societies where children’s opinions are not taken seriously, hindering effective decision-making. We know what the root causes of conflicts are, these factors must be addressed urgently.
Bethany Ellis, Watchlist Bethany Ellis explained that UN mechanisms can serve as catalysts to adopt new laws and bring perpetrators to justice, develop new protocols to ensure children are not criminalised. Civil society is actively playing a role in providing services of reintegration and advocating for better policies. Information from civil society provide the full of picture and patterns of violations and what improved between reporting periods.
Manaff Kemokai, DCI-Sierra Leone Manaff Kemokai reflected on Sierra Leone’s civil war and the role of child soldiers, discussing the post-war efforts to address accountability and recovery. He emphasised the importance of child participation in programme design and the success of rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives for child soldiers.
Zama Neff, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Zama Neff explored the alarming rise in attacks on education, with HRW documenting over 6,000 attacks in recent years. She detailed the roles of various stakeholders, including civil society organisations, states, and international bodies, in protecting education and holding perpetrators accountable. She also highlighted the need for criminalising attacks on education and resource allocation to support justice systems.
Khaled Quzmar, DCI-Palestine Khaled Quzmar addressed the dire situation in Gaza, where children face immense hardships due to ongoing violence. He called for the international community to demonstrate its commitment to justice and accountability, stressing the need for continued advocacy and the involvement of international legal bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Conclusion
The event underscored the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to protect children’s rights in conflict zones, address inequalities, and create a just and accountable environment. The speakers highlighted the importance of early warning systems, integrated protection approaches, and the critical role of international cooperation in achieving sustainable peace and justice for children.
Let us continue to advocate for the protection and rights of children in armed conflicts and work towards a future where justice prevails for all.
Watch the video here.