Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict

The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) was established in July 2005 pursuant to the Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005). Consisting of the 15 Security Council members, the Working Group meets in close session to:

1) Review the reports of the monitoring and reporting mechanism (MRM) referred to in paragraph 3 of resolution 1612 (2005);

2) Review progress in the development and implementation of the action plans mentioned in paragraph 5 (a) of resolution 1539 (2004) and paragraph 7 of resolution 1612 (2005);

3) Consider other relevant information presented to it;

4) Make recommendations to the Council on possible measures to promote the protection of children affected by armed conflict, including through recommendations on appropriate mandates for peacekeeping missions and recommendations with respect to parties to the conflict;

5) Address requests, as appropriate, to other bodies within the United Nations system for action to support implementation of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) in accordance with their respective mandates.

The monitoring and reporting mechanism seeks to monitor the following six grave abuses:
  1. Killing or maiming of children;
    2.
  2. Recruiting or using child soldiers;
  3. Attacks against schools or hospitals;
  4. Rape or other grave sexual violence against children;
  5. Abduction of children;
    6.
  6. Denial of humanitarian access for children.

Terms of Reference of the Working Group: S/2006/275

Press Statements following the meetings of the Working Group by Ambassador de la Sablière, Permanent Representative of France to the UN and Chairman of the Working Group:

Reports to the Working Group available on the website of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict: http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/securitycouncilw182.html

For more information on the Working Group, please contact the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict: http://www.un.org/children/conflict/