M. Bernard Kouchner » Public Debate on Children and Armed Conflicts

The working group absolutely must strengthen its action on this matter. In its recommendations it must demand that belligerents draw up action plans to combat sexual violence and must monitor their implementation.

It may seem paradoxical to ask the belligerents themselves to fight these crimes and yet it’s essential. Military chiefs absolutely must take this on board. It may be paradoxical and it seems immoral, but it’s effective.

The working group must step up the fight against impunity by persistently demanding the arrest of individuals responsible for rape, and appealing to governments to do so. Beyond this, I believe the time has come to reflect together on the possibility of permitting the working group to tackle the tragedy of sexual violence irrespective of whether or not there are child soldiers in the country concerned. This would indisputably be a major step forward. Just as we came to grips with the problem of child soldiers, I am sure we will reach a consensus on the need to put an end to sexual violence.

As I said a moment ago, to move forward on these issues the action of the Security Council is irreplaceable. It does not preclude other initiatives.

EU/SLOVENE PRESIDENCY

The European Union adopted guidelines and an action plan on this question in 2003. Furthermore, last December it decided to extend to 19 countries the list of priority situations in which it will intervene in the future. And the Slovene European Union presidency has decided to make children and armed conflict its human rights priority, which I welcome.

FRENCH ACTION

For her part, in February 2007 France organized with UNICEF a ministerial conference, “Free Children from War,” at which 59 countries signed up to the “Paris Commitments,” a raft of principles and good practices which will significantly strengthen our action. Building on this success, last October we organized, again with UNICEF, a ministerial follow-up conference which, among other things, saw seven more countries support the Paris Commitments. And on 16 January 2008 we held a working meeting with the principal actors concerned which led to the establishment of a follow-up forum for the Paris Commitments, which Minister of State Rama Yade is handling. Its first meeting is scheduled for September 2008 in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. I would like to thank you in advance for your active and resolute participation.

Once again, this is a cause that must mobilize us all, completely and tirelessly. It is the least we can do for the tens of thousands of children who are innocent victims of a barbarousness, which through them is an attack on the very future of our common humanity. Thank you./.

http://www.ambafrance-ph.org/newsfromfrance2.php?article_id=1159