Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict

Thank you, Mr. President,
 
I appreciate the Republic of Korea for convening this important annual debate on Children and Armed Conflict. I also would like to thank Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Ms. Gamba, and Mr. Chaiban and the child briefer for their sobering briefings. I especially thank H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon for today’s briefing as Deputy Chair of The Elders, while commending his continuous and consistent commitment to international peace and security and human rights protection. Also, our sincere appreciation goes to the child briefer for his brave testimony. I express our greatest sympathy for the harrowing experiences the briefer has endured.

Japan is deeply distressed by the Secretary-General's latest report published this month, outlining the extreme level of violence against children, with a shocking increase from past years. We are particularly alarmed about the prolonged fighting in the Gaza Strip, which has led to a significant number of civilian casualties including children. We also strongly condemn Hamas for victimizing children in their heinous terrorism. Japan is also gravely concerned about the situation in Ukraine where a number of grave violations have been verified, including the abduction of children by the Russian armed forces.
 
Mr. President,
 
We must act decisively and consistently to improve the situation of children in armed conflict. In this regard, let me highlight five areas in which the international community should act immediately.
 
First, Japan urges all parties to the conflicts listed in the annexes to the latest report to engage constructively with the United Nations on the ground and the Special Representative to put in place prevention measures to protect children and develop action plans.
 
Second, it is imperative to eliminate impediments to humanitarian assistance reaching children and we must ensure full, safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. Unprecedented numbers of denials of humanitarian access were recorded in many places, including in Gaza and Sudan. Japan is gravely concerned about the consequences of such denials, including disrupted education, child recruitment and use, malnutrition, and damage to physical and mental health. 
 
Third, one of the main causes of the killing and maiming of children is the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, in violation of International Humanitarian Law. Japan has endorsed the EWIPA Political Declaration and supports the efforts to implement their commitments. At the same time, Japan calls on other Member States not having endorsed it to do so.   
 
Fourth, upholding children’s right to education and supporting their development under armed conflict must be prioritized.    Schools should serve as safe havens for children. We must spare no effort in ensuring access to safe and quality education for children, particularly for girls who are disproportionately affected and become vulnerable to other grave violations, such as sexual violence.

Lastly, in countries like Mali and Sudan, where UN peace operations have withdrawn or are withdrawing amid high numbers of grave violations, the international community must ensure that child protection measures remain in place.

Mr. President,

According to the Secretary-General’s report, the highest numbers of grave violations were verified in Israel and Gaza, the DRC, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria and Sudan. Let me stress that no child should live in fear of attacks, nor should they fight on the front lines of armed conflicts. It is totally unacceptable that children’s futures and dreams are being brutally taken away. All Member States and all parties to conflicts must recall that children are entitled to special protection under armed conflict.

Mr. President,

We are all responsible for addressing human security threats to children in armed conflicts and removing all impediments hindering children’s ability to pave their future. Let us once again redouble our efforts to protect children under armed conflict. They deserve to live in dignity and grow up in a safe environment surrounded by friends and family without fear.

I thank you.