United Nations Security Council Resolution 1612
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1612, adopted unanimously on July 26, 2005, after recalling resolutions 1261
(1999), 1308
(2000), 1314
(2000), 1325 (2000), 1379
(2001), 1460
(2003) and 1539
(2004), the Council established a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the use of child soldiers
.
More than 50 governments and rebel groups would be monitored after the passing of the resolution.
, but in practice, their rights were still violated with impunity
and there was lack of progress on the ground. Furthermore, it highlighted connections between the use of children and illicit arms trafficking.
was asked to implement the following mechanism of reporting and monitoring children in armed conflict:
gather information on the recruitment of child soldiers and the abuse of children; collaborate with relevant authorities and United Nations agencies; strengthen the protective role of governments; dialogues with armed groups as part of a peace process.
A working group was also established to monitor the reports of the mechanism and make recommendations.
The Security Council noted the lack of progress in implementing Resolution 1539 and expressed its intention to impose sanctions against countries which violate international law
relating to children in armed conflict and are also on the agenda of the Security Council. It was the responsibility of the country teams of the United Nations to conduct follow-up work on Security Council resolutions.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1612, adopted unanimously on July 26, 2005, after recalling resolutions 1261
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1261
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1261, adopted unanimously on August 25, 1999, in the first resolution to address the topic, the Council condemned the targeting of children in armed conflict including the recruitment and use of child soldiers....
(1999), 1308
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1308
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1308, adopted unanimously on July 17, 2000, in the first resolution to address the impact of HIV/AIDS worldwide, the Council asked countries to consider voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counselling for troops deployed in peacekeeping operations.Speaking...
(2000), 1314
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1314
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1314, adopted unanimously on August 11, 2000, after recalling Resolution 1261 on children and armed conflict and other resolutions including 1265 , 1296 and 1306 , the Council expressed concern at the impact of conflict upon children and the use of child...
(2000), 1325 (2000), 1379
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1379
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1379, adopted unanimously on November 20, 2001, after recalling resolutions 1261 , 1265 , 1296 , 1306 , 1308 , 1314 and 1325 , the Council considered provisions to protect children during peacekeeping operations and requested the Secretary-General to...
(2001), 1460
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1460
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1460, adopted unanimously on January 30, 2003, after recalling resolutions 1261 , 1265 , 1296 , 1306 , 1308 , 1314 , 1325 and 1379 , the Council called for the immediate end to the use of child soldiers and endorsed an "era of application" of...
(2003) and 1539
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1539
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1539, adopted unanimously on April 22, 2004, after recalling resolutions 1261 , 1308 , 1314 , 1325 , 1379 and 1460 , the Council condemned the use of child soldiers and asked the Secretary-General to devise a monitoring mechanism.The resolution marked the...
(2004), the Council established a monitoring and reporting mechanism on the use of child soldiers
Military use of children
The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities , or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs, and sexual slaves; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in...
.
More than 50 governments and rebel groups would be monitored after the passing of the resolution.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council recognised progress in developing guidelines to protect children in armed conflictWar
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, but in practice, their rights were still violated with impunity
Impunity
Impunity means "exemption from punishment or loss or escape from fines". In the international law of human rights, it refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice and, as such, itself constitutes a denial of the victims' right to justice and redress...
and there was lack of progress on the ground. Furthermore, it highlighted connections between the use of children and illicit arms trafficking.
Acts
As with previous resolutions on the topic, the Council condemned the use and recruitment of child soldiers. The Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was asked to implement the following mechanism of reporting and monitoring children in armed conflict:
gather information on the recruitment of child soldiers and the abuse of children; collaborate with relevant authorities and United Nations agencies; strengthen the protective role of governments; dialogues with armed groups as part of a peace process.
A working group was also established to monitor the reports of the mechanism and make recommendations.
The Security Council noted the lack of progress in implementing Resolution 1539 and expressed its intention to impose sanctions against countries which violate international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
relating to children in armed conflict and are also on the agenda of the Security Council. It was the responsibility of the country teams of the United Nations to conduct follow-up work on Security Council resolutions.
See also
- List of international instruments relevant to the worst forms of child labour
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1601 to 1700 (2005 – 2006)
External links
- Text of Resolution at UNHCR.org
- Resolution 1612 - Making it Work for Children and Youth, Children and Armed Conflict Working Group.