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Summary: Newly appointed UN Special Representative Leila Zerrougui delivers statement to the Human Rights Council, focusing on accountability and prevention of violations against conflict-affected children.
[Geneva, 11 September 2012] - Today, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, delivered a statement to the Human Rights Council, during which she highlighted the need for more action to prevent violations from being committed against conflict-affected children and greater accountability for such violations. While welcoming the important precedent set by the ICC and Special Court of Sierra Leone through the Lubanga and Charles Taylor verdicts, SRSG Zerrougui emphasised that international accountability mechanisms should complement, not replace, national justice. The newly appointed SRSG Zerrougui highlighted the complex set of factors leading to child recruitment and the need to strengthen the capacity of Governments to investigate and prosecute adult recruiters before national courts. “Justice and healing is most effectively achieved through national accountability mechanisms. For this, it is crucial to build national capacity – with international support – so that justice may be administered in accordance with international norms and standards.” SRSG Zerrougui also highlighted the need to prevent the association of children with armed forces and groups. She emphasized the important role played by community-based child protection systems in protecting children who are vulnerable to recruitment. “Prevention, to be successful, must address the causes of ‘voluntary’ recruitment, such as poverty, social grievances and survival. For many children and youth, schooling and employment are the only alternatives to joining armed forces and groups” SRSG Zerrougui also updated the Human Rights Council on action plans signed between the UN and parties to conflict for the release of children within their ranks. She noted that the Government of Somalia became the first party to sign an action plan to halt and prevent the killing and maiming of children by its forces. In this connection, SRSG Zerrougui expressed concern about rising number of the killing and maiming of children due to explosive weapons, especially heavy mortar and artillery shells, multiple launch rockets and improvised explosive devices. “The humanitarian principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must always guide the use of explosive weapons”, she stated. Ms. Zerrougui took up her new functions on 4 September 2012, following four years as the deputy head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Congo, MONUSCO. Relevant documents Annual Report of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict to HRC Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict Other Resources: Human Rights Council webcast: http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/ OSRSG-CAAC web: http://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session21/A-HRC-21-38_en.pdf
http://daccess-ods.un.org/TMP/827518.925070763.html