‘Impressive Gains’ Made to Protect Children The report also highlights other conflicts not on the agenda of the Security Council –- including Colombia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sudan, northern Uganda and Sri Lanka -– where children are recruited and used as combatants, as well as conflicts that have recently ended -– Angola, Kosovo, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau -– where demobilization and/or reintegration programmes for child combatants are under way. "This is the beginning of a systematic effort in a new era of monitoring and reporting on the conduct of parties and how they treat children during conflict", Mr. The Security Council, Special Representative Otunnu said, is sending a message to governments and insurgent groups alike that the international community is watching and that they will be held accountable for the welfare of children in conflict and post-conflict situations. "For the first time in an official report to the Security Council, those who violate standards for the protection of war-affected children have been specifically named and listed." Otunnu, who is the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. "This report breaks new ground", said Under-Secretary-General Olara A. The list is confined to situations currently on the agenda of the Security Council. In response to a request from the Council, the Secretary-General’s third Report on Children and Armed Conflict contains a list of 23 parties, including both governments and insurgents, in five conflict situations –- Afghanistan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Somalia –- that recruit or use children. It clearly demonstrates the will of the international community that those who violate standards for the protection of children cannot do so with impunity. The list, says the Secretary-General in his report, represents "an important step forward in our efforts to induce compliance by parties to conflict with international child protection obligations". NEW YORK, 13 December (Office of SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict) -– In a major development, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has submitted a report for consideration by the Security Council listing parties to conflicts on the Council’s agenda that continue to recruit and use child soldiers. SECRETARY-GENERAL’S REPORT LISTS PARTIES TO
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