International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers – 12 February 2017

On the 12 February 2017, it was the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.

For this event, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini and the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, pledged to intensify their efforts to end the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

They jointly celebrated a growing global consensus among UN Member States that they should not recruit or use children in armed forces in conflict and that boys and girls should be protected from all grave violations.
Despite continued progress, children growing up in countries affected by conflict were confronted to ever-more complex crises. Continued commitment was needed to ensure that the international community remained effective and responsive to end the use of Child Soldiers worldwide and to hold to account those who continue to do so.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers on 12 February http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-declaration-by-the-presidency-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-international-day-against-the-use-of-child-soldiers-on-12-february/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on child labour http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-child-labour/

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