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Statement by H. E. Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Open Debate of the Security Council
On Children and Armed Conflict
18 June 2015
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your leadership in convening today’s open debate. Let me also thank His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary General, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Yoka Brandt, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, and Ms. Eunice Apio from the Facilitation for Peace and Development (FAPAD) for their briefings.
Mr. President,
Today, I would like to focus on three issues: the abduction of children, child soldiers, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims.
With regard to the first, I would like to draw your attention to the disturbing, increasing trend of mass abductions of children. Last year, it was reported that 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. 153 Kurdish boys and 412 Yezidi children were abducted by ISIL in Syria and Iraq. According to the Watch List, at least 24,422 children have been kidnapped between 2002 and 2013, of which 95.8% were taken by non-State armed groups.
International society, especially the Security Council, should take any measures necessary to alleviate such cruel and inhumane actions by organizations like Boko Haram and ISIL. In this regard, we support and co-sponsor the new Security Council resolution just adopted today. The addition of abductions as the “trigger” for inclusion of parties into the annexes of the SG annual report shall make a difference. It is essential, however, that the relevant parties implement this resolution through action plans and other mechanisms.
Moreover, Japan would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by all stakeholders in drafting the so-called “Lucens Guidelines.” We welcome the fact that recognition by international society of the issue of protecting schools and education is widening. Japan would like to continue to keep an eye on the development of the discussion on this issue.
Mr. President,
Secondly, Japan commemorates the 10 year anniversary of the Security Council resolution 1612. Japan partook in the adoption of this Security Council Resolution as a Member of the Council. This resolution marked an important milestone, by establishing a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
The “Children, not Soldiers” campaign further promotes the ideas contained in this Resolution. Japan has repeatedly expressed its support to this campaign. The achievements that have been made so far through this campaign are to be commended. They include the delisting of Chad and the release of 400 child soldiers in Myanmar. In this context, Japan has provided support for child soldier victims through UNICEF.
It is important to note that the goal of this campaign is to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by national security forces by 2016. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, further enhancements and commitments are required. Japan will continue to look into making more contributions to support the campaign.
Mr. President,
Lastly, the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims deserves as much attention as the prevention of abduction and recruitment as mentioned in the current Annual Report of the Secretary-General.
The victims of child abductions or recruitment have been deprived of love and affection. They are also kept aloof of normal social life. In the worse cases, these children become fiends and deviants. These children may have no families or homes to return to. Even if they do make it back, they may not be accepted or unable to adapt back into society. They have lost their opportunity to become members of society. Bringing back normal life to such children should be essential part in their rehabilitation processes.
With this view in mind, last fiscal year Japan extended a total of 23 million US dollars in contributions for programs supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers. Those programs are implemented in countries such as Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. For instance, in South Sudan, we supported efforts to reunite approximately 1,000 children with their families. That project also provided them with psychological care. Additionally, medical care and counselling are being provided to women and children who experienced sexual abuse.
Mr. President,
We should not leave anyone behind - especially not children. When we are dealing with the crimes committed against children, preventing and rescuing children from such crimes are not sufficient. I reiterate the necessity of also providing support to the victims for their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society. By doing so, they can return as fully committed members of society.
Thank you, Mr. President.
