Beyond the impact on peace and stability, there is indeed the human dimension of the tragedy of children caught up in armed conflict. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of violent conflict where children have been used as bearers, cooks, messengers and sex slaves, and others have been involved in combat, taking human lives. Besides child soldiers, all children become victims in one way or another during armed conflicts.
At the same time, all parties to armed conflicts should strive to meet their obligations under relevant international law and to respect and safeguard the rights of children. In post-conflict situations, the return of children to their families, schools and communities as well as the provision of sufficient resources should be prioritized.
We also envisage a growing role for female peacekeepers in child protection and rehabilitation during and after armed conflicts. Thailand has intensified its national efforts to increase its numbers of female peacekeepers. They will be specifically trained in international law and international humanitarian law on the rights and protection of women and children.
Next Monday, 10 March, Thailand will organize a side event on increasing women's contribution to peace and security at the Japan Society here in New York. Participants from Australia, Rwanda and Indonesia will share their views and perspectives on the role of female peacekeepers. In addition, two Thai female peacekeepers will share their experiences from peacekeeping missions in Haiti and Darfur.
Syria has always been a pioneer in providing for all the needs of children and in promoting their rights and protection, in particular quality free education and medical services. This fact has been recognized in the reports of specialized United Nations agencies over decades. However, it is regrettable that the current crisis in Syria has led to inhumane extremist manifestations that are contrary to the Syrian values of moderation.
During scores of meetings of the Security Council, directly or indirectly related to Syria, I have never heard that one or more States with influence over the armed groups in Syria — some of which are members of the Council — has exercised any pressure on these terrorist armed groups to lift the blockade of a certain area in Syria or to stop the militarization of a hospital or a school in Syria, or to free religious leaders, priest
We must fight against impunity for perpetrators of grave violations against children in armed conflict, including sexual violence, and underscore the importance of national and international accountability mechanisms, in particular the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Security Council should, for example, urgently address the situation in Syria in all its aspects, including on a possible referral to the ICC.
Ensuring access to health care and education for children in armed conflict may often be a very challenging task, but it is of great importance. Education is a powerful instrument for preventing young people from involvement with non-State armed groups, and an educated population is an important resource for post-conflict reconstruction, economic development and the building of a just and equal society.
At the Geneva peace talks in February 2006, the LTTE publicly conceded that it was holding thousands of children as combatants. With the end of the conflict, 594 child combatants — 231 girls and 363 boys between the ages of 12 and 18 years — were taken into custody by the security forces.
