NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES INITIATIVES AIMED AT PROTECTING CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT
February 12, 1999 (4:30 p.m. EST) No. 27
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES INITIATIVES AIMED AT PROTECTING
CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced several new initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of
children in situations of armed conflict. The Minister provided details in a speech he delivered to a Columbia
University Conference on the protection of children in armed conflict. While in New York, he also presided over a
United Nations Security Council briefing on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
"The welfare of the world's children merits special priority in Canada's human security agenda," said Mr. Axworthy.
"It is the most vulnerable -- but especially children -- whose security is most at risk, who pay the highest price, and
who, consequently, demand the closest attention. Nowhere is this more true than in situations of armed conflict."
Mr. Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane
Marleau, announced that Canada would contribute $400 000 to support the work of the United Nations Secretary
General's Special Representative (SRSG) for Children in Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu. Canada's contribution will
provide resources to help ensure that the Special Representative's advocacy is sustained and reinforced, and that
he is able to ensure continued profile and action on the issue.
"Millions of children have been killed in wars over the past decade, and millions more are hurt physically and
psychologically," said Madame Marleau. "Canadians are profoundly concerned about the welfare of children
caught in conflict, and CIDA is helping to protect them and provide them with opportunities for their future."
Canada strongly supports the work under way in Geneva to develop an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, which would raise the age of recruitment and participation in hostilities. To that end, Canada is
in the process of examining its current legislation on the recruitment of those under 18 into the Canadian armed
forces, and has codified its practice of not sending anyone under 18 into hostile zones.
In this respect, Mr. Axworthy announced that Canada and Norway will jointly sponsor a workshop under the Lysœn
process -- an international human-security initiative formalized by the two countries last spring -- that will bring
together a small number of governments to consider the common challenges faced in aligning domestic laws with
the expected terms of the Protocol. Canada's Department of National Defence will work closely with the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in developing and implementing the workshop.
Another project under the Lysœn partnership will be the development of training modules to enhance
peacekeepers' awareness, knowledge and expertise in dealing with children in conflict zones. Canada is also
examining ways to help strengthen capacity at the international, regional and local levels to ensure that children's
rights are a central consideration during every stage of conflict. These might include the deployment of rapid-response mediation teams to advocate on behalf of children in conflict zones, or the inclusion of children's rights in
post-conflict peace agreements.
Finally, Mr. Axworthy announced that Canada and Norway will work to bring together government and non-governmental organization (NGO) agendas on the issue of children in armed conflict, with a view to convening an
international conference in the future.
Of the funding to the Office of the SRSG, $300 000 originates from Canada's Peacebuilding Fund, which is
administered by the Canadian International Development Agency, and $100 000 originates from Canada's
Peacebuilding Program, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget and is therefore built into the
existing fiscal framework.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown Media Relations Office
Office of the Minister Department of Foreign Affairs
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1851 (613) 995-1874
Chantal Reinert Media Relations Office
Office of the Minister The Canadian International
for International Co-operation Development Agency
and Minister responsible (819) 953-6534
for La Francophonie
(819) 997-6919
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