Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict

Briefed on Situation in South Sudan

 

On 2 June, the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict was briefed via video-teleconference by the Co-Chairs of the South Sudan Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting on the situation of children and armed conflict in South Sudan, in particular since the onset of the conflict on 15 December 2013.  The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, informed the Working Group about her engagement with the parties concerning the protection of children affected by the conflict in South Sudan.

The Task Force welcomed the opportunity to directly brief the Working Group.  The Task Force stressed that all parties to the conflict in South Sudan are committing violations and abuses against children in violation of applicable international law, such as those involving the recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming of children, rape and other sexual violence, abduction, attacks against schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access.  The Task Force stressed that, in line with resolution 2155 (2014), adopted on 27 May, it will continue to strengthen the monitoring and reporting mechanism for grave violations against children.

During the discussions, members of the Working Group expressed their appreciation for the work of the Task Force.  They strongly condemned the violations and abuses committed against children by all parties to the conflict in South Sudan, and stressed the importance for the Government to fully and immediately implement its action plan to end and prevent child recruitment signed on 12 March 2012, and for the opposition forces to fully and immediately implement their commitment to end grave violations against children signed on 10 May, as requested by the Security Council.

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For information media • not an official record