Joint statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba on the occasion of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.

Children around the world remain disproportionally affected by armed conflicts. They are forced to experience unbearable levels of violence, deprived of their childhood and their right to an education, and are left with deep physical and psychological scars that last a lifetime.

Despite being victims, children recruited into armed forces or armed groups often face stigma.

Protecting children amidst conflicts from violations and abuses is at the forefront of our efforts.

With one voice, we continue to call for the universal ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) to end once and for all recruitment and use of children under 18 years. We encourage all partners to endorse other international instruments such as the Paris Principles and Commitments, the Safe Schools Declaration, and the Vancouver Principles.

To end and prevent child recruitment and to reintegrate victims, we are actively supporting family and community-focused programmes that are conflict, gender and age-sensitive, as well as disability-inclusive. Employing a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach, effective programmes must address not only children’s most urgent humanitarian needs, but also their long-term and sustainable access to health care, mental health and psycho-social support, and education. Measures to ensure sustainable and longer-term financial support are needed.

The children and armed conflict agenda needs to be fully integrated into all peace and security-related activities and throughout the conflict cycle, including in conflict analysis, early warning, peace processes and mediation, and security sector support.

Understanding the perspective of children and youth and their meaningful participation is key to sustainable outcomes and solutions.

All children must have a childhood free from violence. Children should be treated as children. Only this way can there be a peaceful tomorrow.

Source: Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Rwanda