Statement by
Dr. Desra Percaya Representative of the Republic of Indonesia
at Open Meeting of the Security Council
under the Agenda Item: "Children
and Armed Conflict"
New York, January 20, 2004
Mr. President,
I should like to begin by extending the appreciation of my delegation
to you for convening this meeting today on the agenda item before
us which reflects the renewed determination of the Council to protect
children from the ravages of armed conflicts. My delegation also commends
the Secretary-General for his timely Report contained in document
A/58/546-S/2003/1053, which details the advances made towards the
protection of children affected by armed conflict.
Mr. President,
My delegation has noted with deep concern the current deplorable situation
of children in armed conflicts. According to statistics provided by
the UNICEF, approximately 20 million children were forced to flee
their homes because of conflict and human rights violations; more
than 2 million children have died as a direct result of armed conflict
over the last decade; at least 6 million children have become permanently
disabled or seriously injured; more than 1 million have been orphaned
or separated from their families.
The rights of children in armed conflicts should be acknowledged and
respected. We believe that those rights should be made an explicit
priority and firmly entrenched in peace-making, peace-building and
conflict resolution processes as well as in demobilization and re-
integration plans. In view of that, we value the integration of child
protection into the mandates and reports of the peacekeeping missions
and the training personnel as well as the appointment of child protection
advisers in UN peacekeeping missions.
My delegation is concerned about the continuing use and recruitment
of children as child soldiers. Statistics indicate that currently,
about 300,000 child soldiers, including boys and girls under the age
of 18, are involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide. Once children
are carrying guns and are involved in armed hostilities, their prospects
for enjoying life with rights as depicted in the 1989 Convention on
the Rights of the Child will be severely undermined.
Indonesia continues to support concerted international efforts to
alleviate the sufferings of children dragged into conflicts. Indonesia
is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child which upholds
the political, socio-economic and civil rights of children and strong
supports the Optional Protocol which strengthens that Convention by
calling for a minimum age of 18 for participation in hostilities.
We also pay particular attention to the importance of disarmament,
demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programmes in addressing the
issue of child soldiers, especially in the post-conflict period. The
overarching considerations concerning the future DDR for children
proposed by the Secretary-General could become a good basis for further
reflections on the issue.
My delegation deplores the incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse
of women and children, especially girls, in humanitarian crises and
conflict situations. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of
special protection for children at refugee camps; the observance of
the Secretary-General's Bulletin on special measures for protection
from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and those to improve greater
awareness of personnel's responsibilities as UN peacekeepers, especially
in the protection of vulnerable populations.
Armed conflicts have generally been kept alive by continuous supplies
of weapons. Children become victims and victimizers whenever they
are involved in armed conflicts. Statistics show that between 8,000
and 10,000 children are killed or maimed by landmines every year.
It is very pertinent in that regard that we strengthen our commitment
to address the impacts of the illicit trade of small arms and light
weapons, landmines, and unexploded ordnance on children.
Complex emergencies have brought about different impacts on adults
and children. The situation becomes more burdensome to children when
they are displaced from their homes and communities and become separated
from their families. Humanitarian assistance, including family reintegration
programmes, is important to address such a situation.
Mr. President,
In sum, the future of humanity depends on children. The use of children
in armed conflicts casts a dark shadow over their future, for children
who are exposed to violence often carry fears and hatred in their
hearts and minds that have profound long-term effects. Hence, much
needs to be done in alleviating their sufferings and in ensuring their
rightful place in their societies through adequate support programs.
We are duty bound to extend our cooperation to the Secretary-General
in his efforts to address the issue of children affected by armed
conflict.
I would be remiss in my duty if I concluded this statement without
commending the role played by the Secretary-General's Special Representative
for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, who has made significant
contributions to uplift the lives of less fortunate children and for
many of whom life will now be worth living. As far fulfilling the
mandate of the Special Representative is concerned, my delegation
stresses the importance of close consultation and cooperation between
the Special Adviser and Member States.
I thank you, Mr. President.
