UN Report on Children and Armed Conflict

Subject : International Relations

Section: International organisation

Concept :

Key Details:

The United Nations Secretary-General has taken India off a list of countries mentioned in a report on children and armed conflict.
Previously India was included in the list over the alleged recruitment and use of boys by armed groups in J&K and their detention, killing and maiming by security forces.
This is the first time since 2010 that India has not been named in the report alongside countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Lake Chad basin, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines.
The report said India has been “removed from the report in 2023” in view of measures taken by the government to “better protect children”.
According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development this has became possible due to the introduction of various policies and institutional changes since 2019.
After the removal of Artcle 370, all statutory service delivery structures like the Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Boards under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 have been established in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Government of India had been consistently engaged in efforts to exclude our country’s name from this ignoble list.

About Children and Armed Conflict Report:

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict serves as the leading UN advocate for the protection and well-being of children affected by armed conflict.
The annual report presents a comprehensive picture of child soldiers, highlights the disproportionate impact of war on children and identifies them as the primary victims of armed conflict.
The first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict was named in 1997 by the Secretary-General to help enhance the protection of children affected by armed conflict, and foster international cooperation to that end.
The Special Representative must also raise awareness about the plight of these children, and promote the monitoring and reporting of abuses.
In accordance with the mandate, the Special Representative reports annually to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

It is an international agreement that is legally binding on the members.
It consists of 54 articles that spell out various children’s rights and also the measures governments should take in order to make these rights available to children.
The CRC was adopted by the United Nations in 1989. It entered into force in 1990 after receiving the minimum of 20 ratifications.
It has been ratified by all members of the UN except for the United States. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the history of the world.
Under the articles of the convention, all parties to it are required to ensure that children’s basic needs are fulfilled and they are able to reach their full potential.

Rights of the Child

The convention identifies a child as a human being below the age of 18. The CRC acknowledges that every child is entitled to fundamental rights, and some of the most important rights are as follows:
Right to life, survival and development.
Right to education that facilitates them to reach their full potential.
Right to protection from abuse, violence or neglect.
Right to express opinions and be heard.
Right to be raised by or have a relationship with their parents.

Core principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child