Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
The present report was submitted to the General Assembly on the progress in advancing children’s rights agenda in armed conflict.
A trend of grave violations is the abduction of children, which in the last year has increased by 20 per cent, with over 3,459 children abducted by armed groups. Sexual violence against boys and girls, such as rape, is utilised as a war tactic—children who have been sexually exploited fear reprisal from their families and communities. As a result children are stripped of their right to live with their families and communities.
Action plans, including a programme that works towards preventing child recruitment by armed groups has been implemented by the Colombian government and the United Nations. “Súmate por mi” (Join up for Me) has 180 children separated from armed groups and placed in protection programmes. Training is also implemented into Colombian armed forces on child rights.
Child Identity Protection (CHIP) welcomes the different efforts outlined in this report, especially those aimed at preserving family relations of children in armed conflict.
