CP Photo Archive: John Moore

-- Jelena, age 9, Kosovo

Creating and maintaining world peace is the main responsibility of the United Nations Security Council. The safety and well being of individual people is now recognized as a good way to measure global security, and is an important goal. Violations of basic human rights are increasingly among the root causes of armed conflicts.

To ensure that children are safe and secure, countries and the United Nations must address new threats such as civil conflict, mass displacement of people, gross human rights abuses, failures of governments and the rule of law, and deprivation.

The United Nations Security Council has passed many resolutions on children in armed conflict and on the protection of civilians. Protection and assistance for refugees and displaced children and women has been improved. Child protection experts are being used as advisers in peacekeeping operations. Action has been taken to stop the use of children as soldiers and to limit the trade in light weapons. However, there is much more to be done. Monitoring, reporting, prosecuting and fixing human rights violations, especially the abuse of children and women, must be made easier. Peacekeepers and soldiers need training on their responsibilities towards civilians, women and children. And violations committed by peacekeepers against women and children must be condemned and punished.

• Children's needs during disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militaries, soldiers and child soldiers.
• Human rights violations against children and women.
• Women and children as a major focus of mine clearing, mine awareness and mine victim assistance.
• Including women when rebuilding peace after a conflict to ensure that the rule of law is rebuilt and that the rights of children are safeguarded.
• Supporting objective broadcasting and the free exchange of information.
• Protecting children from the effects of sanctions.
• Protecting humanitarian workers and humanitarian assistance for children.

1. All operations to prevent conflict and build peace should monitor and ensure human rights.
2. Peace support operations must include humanitarian, human rights, gender and child protection.
3. The United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General should provide more information on human rights, humanitarian concerns and the situation of women and children.
4. The United Nations Security Council should hear regularly from the High Commissioner for Human Rights on human rights issues and matters relating to children and armed conflict.

Demobilize = to release someone from the armed forces.
Deprivation = living without adequate conditions, food, water, education, and other necessities.
Refugee = a person who is forced to flee to another country.
Internally Displaced Person (IDP) = a person who is forced to flee within their own country.