NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT
August 26, 1999 (6:45 p.m. EDT) No. 190
CANADA WELCOMES AND SUPPORTS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON
CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed a United Nations Security Council
resolution to promote the protection of war-affected children. The resolution was co-sponsored
by Canada, and was passed unanimously after an open Security Council debate.
"I am very encouraged by the passage of this human security resolution dealing with war
affected children. Canada is an active supporter of children's rights, among which is the right to
be protected from the effects of war," said Mr. Axworthy. "This resolution is an important step in
strengthening that right."
Studies conducted by the United Nations estimate that the impact of armed conflict on children
has increased dramatically over the last decade. Millions have been killed, disabled, abducted,
detained and raped as part of hostilities. It is estimated that 300 000 children, some as young as
seven years old, are serving in government and opposition forces, and are being exploited in a
variety of ways.
"Canada is actively working through the Security Council and the United Nations system to
protect children affected by conflict," said the Minister. "We are particularly concerned about
both the impact that armed conflict has on children, and the long-term consequences that such
trauma has for creating lasting peace and security."
Child soldiers and the protection of children in armed conflict are among priority issues for the
Canadian government. Canada has actively supported working groups established by the UN
Commission on Human Rights to draft two optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child on:
- the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and
- children in situations of armed conflict.
Minister Axworthy also noted that we are keenly awaiting a report from the UN Secretary
General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. In February, the Minister chaired an open
debate of the Security Council on this subject, after which the Secretary General was asked to
write a report giving recommendations on the role of the UN on combatting the problem of
civilians in armed conflict.
Canada, the UN Security Council and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General
for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, are working together to mainstream the
issue within the UN system.
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For further information, media representatives may contact :
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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