Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2017
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which child soldiers continue to be used in various war situations throughout Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40086/17]
View answerThe recruitment and use of child soldiers continues to be a serious problem around the world, including in Africa. Since 2002, the United Nations Secretary-General has issued an annual report on children and armed conflict which lists all armed groups – both state and non-state – that recruit and use children. The most recent list, published in April 2016, includes groups operating in seven African countries. In 1999, the UN Security Council passed its first Resolution (UNSCR 1261) highlighting the impact of armed conflict on children and condemning violations carried out in that context. Since then, the Security Council has developed important tools to strengthen child protection and to promote compliance with international standards.
The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict was appointed in May of this year. Ahead of the 20 year anniversary of Resolution UNSCR 1261 she has committed to raising public awareness, garnering lessons learned, and developing best practices to combat the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Ireland has engaged on the issue of child soldiers in various ways including through the core work of our aid programme in addressing socio-economic factors, which are major root causes of this problem. Ireland has also actively supported more targeted and specific interventions including support to UNICEF as well as the International Criminal Court. Ireland’s commitment to addressing the issue of child soldiers is reflected in our Policy for International Development, ‘One World, One Future’.
