Topic II: Child Soldiers Chair: Xavier Gurrola Northern Illinois Model United Nations 2011
Table of Contents Letter from the Chair 2 Background 3 What is the UN doing to prevent the use of child soldiers? 3 What type of direct action is being taken today? 5 Thoughts about Solutions 5 Questions to Consider 6 Links for Additional Research 6
Introduction Letter Hello! Welcome to NIMUN I. My name is Xavier Gurrola and I will be your chair for the DISEC committee. During your stay, you will be presented with numerous challenges in the areas of diplomacy, negotiation, public speaking, and compromise. You will be working with 39 other delegates (40 including yourself) toward solutions that will address some of the most pressing issues that manifest themselves in all corners of the world. Representing your assigned country's interests in these topics is of vital importance. DISEC is the United Nations first committee on the General Assembly. Each and every member nation of the UN is represented and has exactly 1 vote, regardless of status. During session, the Disarmament and International Security Committee deals with issues such as Nuclear Non- Proliferation (Disarmament) and matters deemed threats to international security. As a committee of the General Assembly, DISEC serves as a crucial forum for discussing these issues, as well as issuing public resolutions that serve as suggested solutions to the topics addressed. Now in its 60th session, DISEC remains a crucial part of the United Nations. Now it s your turn to take the place of the delegates sitting in the committee chamber in the UN building. Topic 1 deals with Nuclear Non- Proliferation, which is a big problem that requires large amounts cooperation in the international sphere due to differing viewpoints on the acceptability of nuclear arms. Topic 2 addresses the plights of child soldiers around the world. These children are forcibly taken, sometimes drugged, to fight for a militant group or warlord. These topics demand attention. Good luck. I'm sure you will find a solution! -Xavier Gurrola NIMUN I DISEC Chair
Background: Although it may seem repulsive, children are still used for military purposes in a large portion of the world. Indeed, the UN has a crucial role to play in changing and securing the futures of these children, and in stopping unfair use of them (whether economically, socially, or militaristically). Many children are being forced into hazardous, unhealthy, and unsafe warzones by unavoidable circumstance, gangs, local tribes and warlords. Although children have historically been used as part of armies in Latin America and Asia, the problem today is critical in Africa. Children are used in government-backed paramilitary groups, militias and selfdefense units operating in many conflict zones. Others include armed groups opposed to central government rule, groups composed of ethnic religious and other minorities and clan-based or factional groups fighting governments and each other to defend territory and resources (1). Child soldiers are difficult to define, but the accepted age range is twelve to eighteen years of age even though some children are taken as young as nine. While most adults would sign up to be a part of a specific armed group, these children often see no alternative. Others are forcibly abducted from their homes in mass numbers to serve the group. Indeed, Economic, social, community and family structures are frequently ravaged by armed conflict and joining the ranks of the fighters is often the only means of survival (1). Other factors include education and economic backgrounds. Many children see volunteering as a means to receive an income in the future, and some are pressured by family traditions as well. It is plain to see a variety of methods based around economics, education, and social needs are necessary to eliminate the use of children for militaristic purposes. What is the United Nations Doing to Prevent the Use of Child Soldiers? Numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions have been written to condemn the use of child soldiers. However, the most important step in the international community was taken when the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified. This convention took particular steps to lay down international law boundaries during wartime. It covers rights that are particularly at risk: protection against exploitation and violence; protection against torture, or any other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment; family reunification; a name and nationality (2). While the convention is still the main framework for international code on the rights of the child, an optional protocol was added by majority vote by the General Assembly on May 25 th, 2005. It strengthens the convention in many ways, such as: 1. It sets the minimum age for compulsory recruitment or direct participation in hostilities at 18; 2. It calls upon Parties to raise the minimum age for voluntary recruitment to at least 16 and to provide special protection and safeguards for those under 18; 3. It categorically prohibits armed groups from recruiting or using in hostilities anyone under 18; and 4. It calls upon Parties to provide technical cooperation and financial assistance to help prevent child recruitment and deployment, and to improve the rehabilitation and social reintegration of former child soldiers. (2) At NIMUN, the topic will open with an update from the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the status of child soldiers in the world. Other regional bodies have also taken steps towards reducing the number of child soldiers in the world. The 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines the conscription, enlistment or use in hostilities of children under 15 by armed forces or groups as a war crime. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child prohibits the recruitment or direct participation in war or internal strife of anyone under the age of 18. The United Nations webpage states that Regional organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (OSCE), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the European Commission, the G-8 meeting in Miyazaki, the Heads of Government of Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) and others have adopted a child protection agenda including the non-use of child soldiers. What Type of Direct Action is Being Taken Today? In addition to the regional political units actions taken above, there are a few Non-Governmental Organizations and individual groups that pertain to the topic of child soldiers. Child Soldiers International is perhaps the most prominent. This group provides information to feed a growing awareness of the troubles of child soldiers, as well as setting up advocacy forums, research on country information for the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and publishing the Child Soldiers Global Report. Another prominent organization is SAVE THE CHILDREN. It provides relief and helps children in developing countries. It promotes clear policy changes within nations to gain more rights for young people. Thoughts about Solutions DDR: A three-pronged process that focuses on the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration of child soldiers. This process aims to demobilize children and collect information for family and social tracing, disarm them safely, and reintegrate them into society by family reunification, livelihood support, and education. However, the programs lack funds and adequate resources. Sustained long-term investment is needed if they are to be effective. International cooperation is for the most part is strong. Delegates must plan a complete solution that includes all possible aspects of a child soldier s upbringing: from prevention of mandatory recruitment to reintegration into society and additional education, aid, and economic stimulus. One problem that is evident, however, is the question of national sovereignty. Who is to say what to do within a particular s state s borders? In addition, financial backing must be acquired from some source in order to put any plan into effect.
Questions to Consider 1) What is needed economically and socially to prevent groups from using children in armed conflict? 2) Is the Convention on the Rights of the Child truly an overarching set of boundaries or should it be expanded once again? 3) What are the roles of NGOs such as Child Soldiers International and Save the Children? Should they explicitly be financially aided? 4) Are DDR programs worth funding? 5) Has your country ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child? 6) What is the status of children in your country? The social structure? The economic structure? Links for Research and Bibliography DISEC: Homepage: http://www.un.org/ga/60/first/ Child Soldiers: (1)-Child Soldiers International: http://www.child-soldiers.org/home (2)- http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/briefing/soldiers/index.htm Convention on the Rights of the Child: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm Optional Protocol to the CRC: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crcconflict.htm Committee on the Rights of the Child: http://www.ohchr.org/en/aboutus/pages/whoweare.aspx Additional Information and Charters and Laws: http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01032/text/solutions.html