98 percent of sexual violence was perpetrated against girls. In 2021, almost one in three child victims of grave violations were girls, a sharp increase from 2020. Girls in situations of armed conflict face unique risks. These attacks are an affront to our common humanity. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has seen further egregious examples. And yet attacks on hospitals have continued, with children frequently amongst the casualties. The delivery of medical assistance must not be obstructed. The resolution is very simple: the wounded and sick, medical personnel, facilities, transport and equipment must be respected and protected. In 2016, at the initiative of New Zealand and four other elected members, the Security Council adopted resolution 2286 on health care in armed conflict which unequivocally condemned attacks on health care workers and health care facilities. New Zealand has endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration – as have 113 other Member States. Yet in its latest report, the UN verified 116 attacks on schools and hospitals. We wish to highlight a few issues that demand urgent attention.īoth schools and hospitals have special protections as civilian objects under International Humanitarian Law. The Secretary-General’s latest report is harrowing reading. We are all horrified at the way children are used, abused and manipulated their lives upended, their futures destroyed. New Zealand thanks and commends the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict for their tireless work and advocacy. The Secretary-General’s latest report on Children in Armed Conflict makes it clear that children and young people are uniquely - and often disproportionately - affected by conflict and atrocities. It has been 26 years since the Graça Machel Report was released, drawing global attention to the devastating impact of armed conflict on children.
We also extend our gratitude to The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, the Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell and Patrick Kumi, Executive Director of Similar Ground for their highly informative briefings.
New Zealand thanks Brazil for organizing today’s important Open Debate.
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