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‘If you want to protect your image, protect children,’ says UN chief, urging action on behalf of war-affected children

2 August 2016 – With children continuing to be tortured, maimed, imprisoned, starved, sexually abused and killed in armed conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all countries to back their words with concrete actions to end such violations.

“In places such as Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, children suffer through a living hell,” the UN chief said as he opened the Security Council’s debate on children and armed conflict.

According to a concept note issued by Malaysia, which holds the Council’s presidency for August, the open debate is intended to provide a platform for Member States to discuss, among other issues, the Secretary-General’s latest report on children and armed conflict, and chart the progress that has been made throughout 2015 in combating grave violations against children in armed conflict.

Also addressing the Council today were Leila Zerrougui, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, and Anthony Lake, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Mr. Ban said that more than half of the world’s refugees are also children, underscoring the need to urgently address the root causes of displacement while at the same time tackle the crisis.

The Secretary-General drew attention to a UN summit on refugees and migrants set for 19 September, urging all governments to bring ideas and commitments – with a special focus on protecting children.

Mr. Ban noted that children are victimized in counterterrorism operations and aerial bombardments.

“Even wars have rules. Hospitals and schools should be protected. Civilians should be spared. Children should not be used to fight,” he said.

Turning to his annual report on children and armed conflict, he said that once again this year, objections to the annual report forced him to make a difficult decision. After “very careful consideration,” the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen was removed from the report’s annexes, pending the conclusions of a review, the UN chief said, reiterating however that “the content of the report stands.”

The annexes list parties committing violations against children in situations of armed conflict.

Mr. Ban said that he held talks with Saudi Arabia at the highest level possible and that he has since received information on measures taken by the coalition to prevent and end grave violations against children. “But I still have very strong concerns about the protection of Yemeni children,” he said.

The UN will continue its engagement to ensure that concrete measures to protect children are implemented.

“If you want to protect your image, protect children,” he said, urging every Member State and every party to conflict to protect children.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, he acknowledged the work done by incumbent Leila Zerrougui and her predecessors.

In 2015, more than 8,000 child soldiers were released, and many countries have also passed laws to add new safeguards for children against recruitment, Mr. Ban said, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of ending these grave violations against children demands ending conflicts and establishing peace.