CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT REPORT - REPORT AND
INDICES
News: After
12 yrs, UN drops India from its report on children & conflict
What's in the news?
● The
United Nations Secretary-General has taken India off a list of countries
mentioned in a report on children and armed conflict over the alleged
recruitment and use of boys by armed groups in J&K and their detention,
killing and maiming by security forces.
Key takeaways:
● 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.
Why India was removed from the list?
● The
report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on ‘Children and Armed
Conflict’ said India has been “removed from the report in 2023” in view of
measures taken by the government to “better protect children”.
Children and Armed Conflict Report:
Backdrop:
● In
December 1996, the UN General
Assembly (UNGA) made the historic decision to enact resolution 51/77, which established the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) mission, to create a mandate to
protect children from hostilities.
● 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.
Objective:
● To
strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict.
● Raised
awareness of the rights of children.
● Promote
the collection of information about the plight of children affected by war
● Foster
international cooperation to improve their protection.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General
for Children and Armed Conflict:
● 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
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:
● Non-discrimination
● Right
to life, survival and development
● Best
interests of the child
● Respect
for the child’s views