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SRSG Coomaraswamy. 9 November 2010. Recommendations: I remain deeply concerned about the continuing grave violations against children in Somalia by parties to the conflict. I strongly reiterate the recommendations in my two previous reports on the situation of children and armed conflict in Somalia (S/2007/259 and S/2008/352). I also urge the immediate implementation of all subsequent conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in Somalia (see S/AC.51/2007/14 and S/AC.51/2008/14). I strongly urge Al-Shabaab, Hizbul Islam, clan militias, Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a, and all other armed groups to immediately and without preconditions cease the recruitment and use of children, and release them. All parties are required to enter into dialogue with the United Nations and to prepare time-bound action plans in line with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009). I strongly urge the Transitional Federal Government to stop all recruitment of children and call upon it to actively seek to identify and release unconditionally all children associated with its armed forces and those of its allies, and engage in dialogue with the United Nations towards the preparation and implementation of action plans in line with Security Council resolutions 1539 (2004), 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009). I am deeply concerned about the killing and maiming of children and other civilians in the course of military operations, and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations to ensure respect for international law, and urge them to make all efforts to protect children through strict adherence to the principles of distinction and proportionality in the conduct of hostilities. In view of the listing of the Transitional Federal Government and Al-Shabaab in my last annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2010/181) for the patterns of killing and maiming of children, in contravention of applicable international law, I urge both parties to enter into dialogue with the United Nations to prepare and implement action plans to halt the pattern of killing and maiming of children committed by members of the armed forces of the Transitional Federal Government and those of its allies, or members of the armed group or persons associated with the armed group respectively. I remain gravely concerned about the continuing lack of humanitarian access in Somalia and its detrimental impact on millions of children, particularly in the central and southern regions. I call upon all parties to the conflict to ensure unhindered and safe humanitarian access for children, to allow the free passage of humanitarian aid, to respect the exclusively humanitarian nature and impartiality of aid, and to respect the markings and emblems of humanitarian organizations without distinction. I am concerned at the attacks against and occupation of schools and hospitals by parties to the conflict and call upon them to cease such acts and to maintain the neutrality and security of civilian institutions that provide shelter and tend to the needs of children. I strongly encourage the Transitional Federal Government and other appropriate authorities in Somalia to redress the prevailing culture of impunity, to launch investigations into all incidents of grave violations of children’s rights and to ensure that all individuals responsible for grave violations against children are held accountable. All appropriate authorities are also encouraged to increase child protection, law enforcement and judicial capacities. I urge the Government of Kenya to investigate the alleged recruitment of Somali children from refugee camps in Kenya, and to implement necessary safeguards to ensure increased security and protection of the civilian populations in and around refugee camps. The Security Council is encouraged, in the upcoming renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia and/or in any future peacekeeping operation in Somalia, to provide for a strengthened child protection capacity, including the deployment of child protection advisers. The African Union is strongly encouraged to include in the AMISOM mandate specific provisions for the protection of children and civilians. This includes child protection advisers and mechanisms for the monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children. This should be accompanied by the requisite support, capacity and oversight, including training on international humanitarian law, human rights law and international child protection standards. I encourage the African Union to ensure that AMISOM troops adhere to their rules of engagement, and impose disciplinary measures for violations. This should include steps taken to address disproportionate or indiscriminate response under fire, resulting in significant civilian casualties. The international community is encouraged to dedicate adequate and timely resources to Somalia for child protection. Emphasis should be placed on strengthening local capacity in monitoring, reporting, advocacy, prevention activities and response to child rights violations within the country and in internally displaced person and returnee settlements. My Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict is requested to undertake a mission to Somalia in the near future to assess at first hand the situation for children and the implementation of the recommendations in my reports and those of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. (paragraphs 66 to 78)