watchlist on children and armed conflict twitter

The SG continued to urge the Government to submit its initial report on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) and to adopt a handover protocol. In his 2021 annual report on CAAC, the SG welcomed positive developments such as the promulgation of the Child Protection Code, criminalizing child recruitment and use, and the conviction of 110 perpetrators of violations against children, while also expressing concern at the sharp increase in some grave violations, including by those who have signed action plans. Additionally, 10 schools were newly used for military purposes and 131 children (116 boys, 15 girls) were separated from armed groups. According to the SG’s October periodic report ( S/2021/867), the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) verified 52 cases of sexual violence against children, 24 children killed or maimed, and 13 attacks against schools and hospitals between June and October 2021. In November, MINUSCA’s mandate is up for renewal, pursuant to SCR 2552 (2020).

Of these, the LRA is also listed for abduction, and the former Séléka coalition and associated groups are also listed for attacks on schools and hospitals.

Anti-balaka local defense militias, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and the former Séléka coalition are each listed in the annexes of the Secretary-General’s (SG) 2021 annual report ( S/2021/437) on children and armed conflict (CAAC) for recruitment and use, killing and maiming, and rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Watchlist on children and armed conflict twitter