Press release
20 November 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Sweden to contribute SEK 20 million to UNICEF's efforts for children in armed conflict
In connection with the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Sweden will make an extra contribution of SEK 20 million to UNICEF's efforts to implement Security Council Resolution 1882 on children in armed conflict.
"This targeted measure will enable us to help particularly vulnerable children who are affected by or forced to take part in armed conflict," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
On 4 August, the Security Council adopted a new resolution on the protection of children in situations of armed conflict, and increased the level of accountability for those who violate their rights. The new resolution expands Resolution 1612 from 2005, which specified that parties that recruit or use child soldiers in armed conflict are to be blacklisted and monitored. The new resolution extends blacklisting of those who abuse children to also include parties that kill, rape, maim or abduct children in armed conflict, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals where children are present.
UNICEF plays a key role in the implementation of Resolution 1882, as it is responsible for monitoring and reporting the above-mentioned abuses of children to the UN. In light of the fact that Sweden also supports the adoption of Resolution 1882, the Government has decided make an extra contribution of SEK 20 million to UNICEF's efforts. It is expected that this new method of exerting influence will help combat impunity and put pressure on guerrilla movements that continue to commit abuses against children and violate their rights.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols on children and armed conflict prescribe how the rights of the child are to be protected in conflict situations. The Convention was adopted on 20 November 1989 and has been adopted by more states than any other human rights convention.
Contact
Peter Larsson+46 8 405 10 00
