UN General Assembly Reports

Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict  (United Nations, 2007). 

This report is divided into two sections.  The first section provides an overview of critical themes pertaining to children and armed conflict, as well as highlights significant development over the reporting period.  It also emphasizes the role of field visits of the Special Representative as a key element of her advocacy strategy, and outlines main findings of missions from various countries (i.e., the Sudan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Middle East, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar).  There is also a presentation of concluding recommendations. 

The second section of the report presents the findings from a strategic  review of the study, "Impact of armed conflict on children", by Graça Machel.  This report marks the 10th anniversary of the Machel study.  The findings and recommendations outlined within this section attempts to capture the numerous ways in which conflict affects children.

Section two of the report, The Machel study and the 10-year strategic review, begins by discussing the changing characteristics of armed conflict and the consequences for children (e.g., children and youth who are being killed, wounded, or are dying from malnutrition and disease, as result of living within conflict contexts).  There is also the rising concern of "asset wars" in which the misuse of natural resources for economic gain commercialize and prolong the effects of conflict.  Other changing characteristics and consequences include denial of humanitarian access for children, illegal detention of children, forced displacement, sexual exploitation, etc.

This section also examines the global mobilization generated from the Machel study among political and legal sectors. For example, the Millennium Development Goals (i.e., six out of the eight goals are specific toward children), and the General Assembly's adoption of the document "A world fit for children".  Another key moment was the adoption of resolution 1612 (2005), in which the Security Council established a monitoring and reporting mechanism, as well as the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.

The Machel study also simulated the development of a legal and normative framework, as well as the use of instruments and standards at the national level.  Considerable progress has been made among issues of recruitment and the use of children (e.g., the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children and Armed Conflict, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, etc.).  In addition, child participation within the justice system is more prevalent.  For example, the International Criminal Court has incorporated child-friendly procedures and protection for participation among children as witnesses.

Since the Machel study, new intergovernmental and interagency policies and guidelines have been established.  Some inter-agency standards and guidelines emphasize humanitarian accountability and provide frameworks for improving the quality and effectiveness of responses (e.g., Operational Guidelines on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies, The Inter-Agency Standing Committee's guidelines for HIV/AIDS intervention in emergency settings [2004], gender-based violence interventions in emergency settings [2005] and mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings [2007]).  The United Nations is also mainstreaming and coordinating with other lead agencies to support children within armed conflict.  The Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s humanitarian reform efforts attempt to provide greater coordination, predictability, and accountability in emergency response.  Additionally, there is the cooperation with civil society actors such as the Inter-Agency Network for Education and Emergencies.  Elaborating on recommendations of the Machel study, this interagency developed a set of key minimum standards for education.  Policies, groups, and organizations which advocate and include child and youth participation have also been established.  There is also evidence of monitoring, reporting, and analysis, as well as capacity building and financing projects to enhance the care and protection of children affected by armed conflict (e.g., Action for the Rights of the Child).

The report also examines future responses and responsibilities of State parties to respect, protect, and fulfil children’s rights.