UN Human Rights Council 61: UK Statement on the Rights of the Child
UK Statement for the Annual day on the Rights of the Child. Delivered at the 61st Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Madam Vice President, and thank you to the panellists for their insightful remarks today.
We are deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world. In too many conflicts, children are bearing the brunt of violence.
The UK is committed to preventing grave violations against children, including as an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group.
We urge all parties listed in the Secretary General’s annual report to engage with the UN to develop and implement Action Plans and call on all parties to conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children.
The UK is supporting children affected by conflict through our humanitarian assistance and our £450,000 funding this year to the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to ensure grave violations are documented.
We are also supporting children affected by sexual violence in conflict through our work with partners such as Grace International to advance legal reforms.
The UK is committed to amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring their voices are heard. We will continue to champion meaningful and safe engagement with children affected by conflict, including at the UN.
Madame Vice President,
How can States better integrate children’s voices safely into prevention and protection efforts?
Thank you.