Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that continue to be taken at EU and UN level to ban the use of child soldiers at the various locations of such activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42086/23]
View answerThe UN Secretary-General issues an annual report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) which examines both trends and specific country situations, listing all armed groups that recruit and use children.
In his latest 2023 report, the Secretary-General confirmed twenty-three countries where more than 27,180 grave violations against children were verified. In this report, a “blatant and systematic disregard for international humanitarian law and international human rights law” was highlighted as a key issue severely affecting the protection of children internationally. The use of explosive weapons, notably in populated areas, was cited as one of the factors having a most severe impact on children. The situations in Gaza, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine and Yemen were noted as being particularly concerning in this regard.
The UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict also presented her most recent report at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, painting a disturbing picture of the plight of children in conflict situations around the world.
Ireland is an active member of the Group of Friends of CAAC, as well as the Group of Friends of the Reintegration of Child Soldiers. Ireland continues to combat the use of child soldiers through our development programme, with a focus on addressing the socio-economic causes that contribute to this situation, through providing access to education, skills and livelihood opportunities. Ireland is also a signatory to the Safe Schools Declaration which outlines a set of commitments designed to strengthen the protection of education from attack, restrict the use of schools and universities for military purposes and ensure the continuity of education in armed conflict zones.
