Valikuliselt Human Rights Watch’i pressiteatest aadressil: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/02/12/un-strengthen-action-end-use-child-soldiers:
“Former child soldiers and other youth representing a grassroots campaign from around the world will present thousands of symbolic “red hands” to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today to demand stronger action by international leaders to end the use of child soldiers.
A UN treaty prohibiting the forced recruitment or use of children under the age of 18 in armed conflict, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, has been ratified by 126 countries and entered into force on February 12, 2002, a date commemorated annually as ‘Red Hand Day.’ But child soldiers are still being used in 15 countries or territories, including some that have ratified the treaty.
… On behalf of the campaign, they are calling for:
* Stronger UN action against governments and armed groups using child soldiers, including Security Council arms embargoes and other sanctions against persistent violators;
* Prosecution of military leaders who recruit or use child soldiers;
* Universal ratification and enforcement of the optional protocol; and
* Increased support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers. …”
Euroopa Liidu deklaratsioonist (Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers): http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/106014.pdf
“On the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the European Union underlines the need to step up efforts at all levels to protect children from the effects from war, including being abducted to serve as combatants, sex slaves or servants. The EU highlights the necessity to address the short, medium and long-term impacts of armed conflict on children in an effective, sustainable and comprehensive manner.
The EU remains deeply concerned about the situation of children affected by armed conflict around the world. 13 years after the groundbreaking Graça Machel’s study ‘The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children’ progress is still too slow for the tens of thousands of children who still fight in forces in different countries or are victimised as part of armed conflict. Children continue to be abducted, killed, maimed, raped or otherwise sexually abused. Schools and hospitals caring for children continue to be attacked and children continue to be denied humanitarian assistance. The changing character of conflict where civilian life is not necessarily safe further enhances children’s suffering. Girls are particularly affected by the increasing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
/…/The EU reaffirms its full support to the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the fight against impunity for the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
/…/The EU also continues to support initiatives of civil society organisations promoting children’s rights in armed conflict. …”
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