Children and Armed Conflict

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Afghanistan
Delegate Name: Rachel Hartman
School: Royal Oak High School

Children participating in and being affected by armed conflict is a major problem in much of the developing world. Developing nations without a strong central government or those lacking the resources and capability to provide powerful armed forces are ever more frequently finding themselves over run by war lords and ethnic conflict, much of which is being fought by child soldiers. The same conflicts are often concentrated on a local basis, destroying towns and villages and displacing entire communities, often with nowhere to go but ill-equipped refugee camps. These nations can do little to stop this trend and it, being a direct violation of the Declaration of Human Rights, must be prevented using aid from developed nations, NGO’s, and the United Nations.

There are a number of steps that must be taken in order to have a significant impact on the use of child soldiers. Tribalism must be taken into account as a major factor as much of the conflicts that child soldiers are forced to participate in are perpetuated by tribal and ethnic conflict. Aid must be given to these nations who cannot combat the problem on their own as tribalism, ethnic conflict, and divisions within a nation's population significantly lower the influence and power of its government. Because the governments have little power over their divided population, they cannot possibly hope to combat the warlords and provide well-equipped refugee camps and facilities without international aid. More must be done by the United Nations to set up and support refugee camps in nations affected by this type of conflict.

There also must be changes in how children suffering from the after-effects of combat, both participating as a child soldier and simply being displaced, are dealt with. Child soldiers are often addicted to drugs and find themselves feeling displaced from normal society, making it extremely difficult to have any hope of returning to a somewhat normal life. We must create and sustain rehabilitation programs designed to help these children if we are ever to solve the problem. Similarly, refugee and displaced person camps should have special programs for children in order to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of nutrition and care. However, developed nations must be willing to aid less developed nations with this problem, as no one can ever hope to solve this alone. Afghanistan hopes that through multilateral programs we can find an answer to this growing problem.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Austria
Delegate Name: Nicole Iraola
School: Saline High School

Austria is deeply concerned with children in armed conflict. Our country desires an end to all children who are involved in fighting in armed conflict throughout the world. Austria has gone to multiple conferences in an attempt to cease the problems caused by child soldiers. For example, Austria went to the conference held for children in armed conflict 2006, and was a major contributor for the cause. Our country feels strongly that children in armed conflict are a problem through putting the lives of innocent children into the lines of fire in war.

In accordance with its longstanding commitment to the UN, international safety, and to children in all nations, Austria has consistently encouraged the end of child soldiers, and is prepared to continue doing so. Austria will continue looking for a resolution to protect children involved in armed conflict until our country can be assured that children across the world are safe from having their childhoods robbed from them by being out into wars. Austria is prepared to help cease the problem, and will do anything in its power to help do so.

Austria has considered that although some countries may not understand the depth of the problem, but our country is confident that they can be encouraged to help stop the problem. Austria has been trying to protect children from becoming involved in armed conflict, but it believes that more has to be done in order to fully rid the world of the problem. By working with each other, Austria believes that the children can become safe once again. By allowing children under 18 to be involved in armed conflict, doors are opened for complete chaos, from the rapes of other children, deaths of thousands, and the constant suffrage of children across the board; on many instances, children who have no idea of the mass murders they’re committing because of the drugs given to them by their superiors.

Many recommendations are helpful that were given by the CSUCS or the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, such as monitoring the countries which have used children in conflicts, monitoring, advocacy and public education, networking and capacity building. Austria is willing to cooperate with other countries with similar outlooks on the problem, and is anticipating healthy and serious discussions about this grave matter during committee.

Despite the progress made by the CSUCS, and other organizations, Austria believes that it is always possible to find new improvements to ridding the countries involved in this deep problem. Austria remains open and positively anticipating the suggestions of other countries to solve the problem of children involved in armed conflict.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Gabe Appel-Kraut
School: Ann Arbor Community High School

The UN states that it is attempting to lessen child conflict in the world and that all countries in the UN need to follow by the UN resolution adopted in 2009, named Security Council Resolution 1882. If the UN truly believes that it is making a difference it needs to follow through with its rules and regulations. The UN states in the 2009 resolution, “Stressing the primary role of government in providing relief and protection to all children affected by armed conflict”. Recently there has been child conflict throughout the whole world and the UN has done little to overcome this. Our country, the Republic of Belarus has followed the UN guidelines set by this resolution and we believe it is in the best interest of the UN to strongly enforce that resolution, with countries unable to follow these regulations.

Belarus encourages fellow members of the U.N. to attempt and meet the guidelines set by the 2009 resolution. If countries are unable to meet these guidelines, the UN should come up with a list of punishments to be enacted on the failure to meet the guideline. Belarus would like to see more activism taken by each country to aid those who are victims. Belarus proposes we need to attempt and follow three steps- Prevention, protection, and persecution. Belarus has had no issues complying with these regulations and any country that does should be subject to some sort of punishment.

The United Nations must take action in lessening armed conflict on children around the world. If child conflict does not decrease children around the world will suffer. These children do not have the ability to protect themselves, so the U.N. and the international community must take it upon themselves to help victimized children.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Cameroon
Delegate Name: Ian Baker
School: Mattawan High School

In today's world, many nations oppose child service in armed conflicts, primarily located geographically in and around Europe, while many African nations, lacking the ability to provide for a defense without it, accept that while child fighting may cause family and society problems, it is a normal part of the modern miltary world. Despite being an African nation, Cameroon believes that child soldiers, while occasionally occuring in regional conflicts, should not be used to supplement a normal, active, paid, adult military

Today, Cameroon's government supports an active army and air force; no one under the age of 18 is permitted to serve in these services, and conscription is not imposed. As a result of an economy based primarily off of agriculture and a religiously tolerant society, Cameroon has been able to augment its literacy rate to nearly 70% by age 15; this is a standard seldom seen in African Union member nations. With an unempolyment rate of only 30%, relatively low for a nation in this geographic area, it becomes quite clear that keeping students in school and continuing to fund education is important (currently, education composes 3.3% of total GDP for the nation).

Even with some issues concerning territory issues in northern Cameroon with Nigeria, Cameroon has managed to continue to maintain a standard, non-child based military. Because it is possible for Cameroon to effectively defend itself without the use of minors in the military, Cameroon largely supports the European Union/ NATO member nations in condemning child soldiers while simultaneously accepting the inevitability of the situation.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Natalie Downs
School: Forest Hills Central High School

1.The number of children fighting in armed conflict is thought to be around 250,000 children between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, and every year more children are killed as a result of armed conflict than soldiers. Canada feels very strongly about ending the abuse of children around the world. Not only are children injured, but also their genitalia is mutilated, and along with all of that that the psychological effects are enormous. After the Resolution 1882 Canada strongly believes that any action taken to combat the issue of children in armed conflict is worth taking.

2.Canada would like to see the United Nations take a more hands on approach towards Children and Armed Conflict. Actions such as sanctions. Canada would also like to see even more action taken through the Working Group on children and armed conflict. Non-Governmental Organizations are strongly supported by Canada because of their success in many countries. Canada would like to see more consequences for the countries that arm children in battle and those countries that tolerate sexual and physical abuse upon the children in their nations. Along with ending child soldiers Canada wishes to see action regarding children’s rights as a whole, in conflict and out.

3.Canada has many allies when the issue is regarding children and armed conflict. The United States of America are always a huge supporter of human rights and because of that they are always to support action concerning children’s rights. The United States can also help provide financial assistance along with France and Mexico who are also sure supporters. They have both been running the Working Group regarding children and armed conflict; France was the head of the group through the end of 2008 and Mexico gained leadership in January of 2009.

4.Countries who will not support Canada’s position regarding children’s rights will be Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Sudan. This is because these countries are continuing to use child soldiers to fight their battles. The countries that do not support a new resolution regarding this topic could be the downfall of a resolution due to lack of support for change.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: China
Delegate Name: Kacey Lawniczak
School: Royal Oak High School

Children all around the globe have fought in armed conflict, and although the United Nations have passed resolutions to protect these children, children are still found at the front line in wars. Not only are children found at the front line, but they are also raped, molested, and killed by other soldiers, and most times there are no repercussions for the soldiers committing these crimes. The People’s Republic of China believes that children should not be found in any armed conflict, the killing, raping and molestation of these said children should be stopped immediately.

The People’s Republic of China calls for specific actions to keep children away from armed conflict. On March 15, 2001the People’s Republic of China signed a United Nations document that bans children under eighteen from participating in armed combat. There have also been other resolutions passed, including resolution 1882 that condemned "all violations of applicable international law involving the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict." In August of 2000, a resolution was passed urging “member states to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.” The People’s Republic of China has signed this document, and will work to follow the resolution.

The People’s Republic of China not only opposes the use of children in armed conflict, but also the recruitment of children. Those who join a countries army should be of eighteen years of age, and that the when recruitment occurs the persons are of eighteen, and that the recruitment is genuinely voluntary, as according to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

China is not only concerned with the safety of children in our country, but we are also concerned with the violations committed against children in armed conflicts in some other nations. China supports any and all efforts by the United Nations to support the safety of children in armed conflict. China believes that the United Nations should continue to focus on international peace and security, to protect children from being harmed and killed in armed conflicts.

The People’s Republic of China believes that the United Nations and any efforts by the Security Council alone will not be able to solve the issue of children in armed conflict. We would like to support UNICEF and other worldwide organizations to assist other countries that that are concerned, prevent the involvement of children in armed conflict. Not only are children bring hurt directly from the wars, but in over thirty countries, children are being killed, kidnapped, and raped or beaten because of armed conflicts. The People’s Republic of China would once again like to insist countries in armed conflicts to protect the rights of their children, and we would like to urge these countries to sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The protection of children is, and has always been a central issue to the government of China.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Croatia
Delegate Name: Christine Elias
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy

The issue of children and armed forces has been brought before the committee and this issue can be viewed as either a humanitarian conflict or an act of patriotism. Croatia looks at this as an incredibly patriotic act in allowing children to rightfully fight for their country’s pride. We are strongly in favor of what one would call self-defense for reasons beyond explanatory standards. For example, we have witnessed people of our own flesh and blood die right before of our eyes. There is no way that a Croat would willingly be in favor of just sitting there and watching, without doing anything, no matter what their age happens to be. Our children have been instilled with the idea that if it is for their people than they should have the human right to decide whether or not they want to be put in position to stand up for their right and fight.

The Republic of Croatia feels that when it comes to the children and armed conflict, we are morally and legally divided on the subject that children should be allowed to have the right to fight for their country with pride. However, we feel that these same children should not be forced into this fighting. According to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, “it has been stipulated by law that military service consists of duty to register as a recruit, to enter military service (conscription), and to serve in the reserves in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia; the duty to register as a recruit arises in the calendar year in which a person turns 18, and remains until the person enters military service (conscription) or service in civilian life… The status of the recruit remains valid until entering military service (conscription) to which, according to the law, a recruit may not be sent before reaching the age of 18; and eligible recruits are sent to do their military service (conscription) after they come of age (turn 18), normally in the calendar year in which they turn 19, thereby becoming conscripts. Recruits are not part of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia; conscripts make one component of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia." As Croatia, we have no limit on the voluntary age of being a child soldier, but they can apply for military service in the year at which they are still 16 years old. The Croatian Ministry of Defense enforces that in order for volunteers under the age of 18; they must be requested by the conscript and must also have the permission of his parent or guardian.

There are other countries that would not be in agreement towards Croatia’s views on this conflict. Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo-also known as the DRC-are a couple of the ones who force their children into the armed forces. The DRC is known to favor this so much as to have the child forced into killing a member of his own family. Croatia’s reasoning for child soldiers is to protect those of your family. Uganda has been known to abduct their children and also forcing them into fighting the government. Croatia cannot under circumstances force children and take them away from their homes when our basis is on the support and help of the country according to the consent of a parent or guardian, if and only if the child is in favor of doing so.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Titiana Stitt
School: Flint Northern High School

As a delegate of Egypt one of the issues that got my attention is "Children and Armed Conflicts". The effects on terrorism and counter-terrorism has a huge effect on the children in Egypt. Sexual violence between boys and girls are also a major issue of armed conflicts. Boys are using to threaten the girls to have sex with them. If the girls refuse to do so then the boys would kill them. People have gone from protecting their herds with spears to the young men using deadly automatic rifle. In early 2001 with open fire, killing up to 47 people, burning down the village and transforming what is known as the ceremonial tradition of cattle raidinh into human slaughter. The use of small arms with children and the killings of other individuals are filling the graves in Egypt. The number of usage of armed weapons with children has increased drastically causing statistics to change as well.

Egypt feels that the government should come together with the people in the communities and find ways to improve the situation with children and armed conflicts. They can do this by the people in the community working together and coming up with programs for the children so that they can stay out of trouble. This will also keep them from getting their hands on any type of illegal fire arms. This issue has been going on for more than 15 years. Since the children are being recruited for the military at early as 15, this also has a huge effect on the situation. The government has also been arresting children to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. The Hope Village Society has been working with the street children and the UNICEF for many years to try and keep children off the streets and make sure they are safe. UN agencies along with non-governmental organizations are seeking ways to reduce the supply and demand for what now all children are using at this point and time to kill each other.

Our most important point of view is that Egypt does have the right to bear arms in their constitution, but only by license and registration only if the bureaucrats may or may not allow. We feel that even though we have the right to bear arms children shouldn't be able to get their hands on them. If children didn't have an access to arms there wouldn't be a big issue with children and armed conflicts in Egypt.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: France
Delegate Name: Aaron Bernard
School: Roeper School

The Republic of France is fully committed to the fight against the use and recruitment of child solders. In addition to its commitment within the United Nations, it hosted the 2007 Paris conference, “Free the Children of War,” which gave rise to the drafting of the Paris Commitments. Unfortunately, much remains to be done on the topic of children and armed conflict, as we are reminded each day of the tragic situation of children affected by conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and the recently ended long term conflict in Sri Lanka.

Something must be done. If the parties to a conflict do not implement action plans to free children as combatants, despite repeated calls from the United Nations, we must not hesitate to impose strict and targeted sanctions. There is no effective prevention or deterrent without sanctions. In this sense I would like to applaud the International Criminal Court and the international criminal justice system, which has proven itself as a vital tool in the prosecution of those guilty of using children in armed conflict. France does not consider armed groups on the same level as an internationally recognized government. However when it comes to children and armed conflict, we believe no child should be forced into war, no matter who the commanding side may be.

France is convinced of the need for greater international progress on this crucial topic. At a time when there are believed to be 200,000 child soldiers in the world, the international community must not turn its back or waver in its efforts to stamp out this terrible situation. Therefore, France’s policy on children in armed conflict does not waver.

We reaffirm the importance of the contribution of the International Criminal Court as an instrument to fight against the crimes against humanity committed towards children and as a deterrent to future offenders

France promotes the idea of a comprehensive approach to this problem that afflicts human rights, development, humanitarian conditions and security. This issue also must resolved through the use of the Security Council, the Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, UNICEF and other UN agencies, funds and programs, NGOs, regional organizations and national authorities to play complementary roles.

There can only be success in eradication the use of child soldiers with the support of the Secretariat’s efforts of reporting and monitoring and inter-agency cooperation as well with regional groups to promote the freeing and reintegration of these war torn children into society.

France reaffirms the “Paris Commitments and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups,” in partnership with UNICEF, agreed to in February 2007. More than 75 States have already signed on to these commitments. We hope that the General Assembly and the Security Council will continue to contribute to the respect and implementation of these measures by all states and by all parties involved in armed conflict.

France is as committed as ever to ending the terrible practices involved with children in armed conflict.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Alycia Pucci
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The Federal Republic of Germany would like to first make aware degrading children in any way of violence should not be tolerated. Killing, kidnapping, forcing labor work upon, sexually hurting, and any kind of personal rights violated upon children is immoral. Many places children grow up influenced as their parents impose anger from issues and conflicts onto their children. This influence of violence on children has severely traumatized children at a young age making the minds of these young adults inclined to commit crimes and become involved in violent behavior. Germany strongly encourages all countries to take awareness to this huge uprising issue of children and armed conflict. The future of children who are victims of these violent crimes is in danger and there needs to be strict laws enforcing upon these crimes. Immediate action needs to turn things around for these children’s lives and children living in these violent environments. Protection against children forced into these unhealthy violent lives is beneficial to the futures of children to come and can change around the lives of the ones already being affected. Germany urges for UN members to become aware of the futures of these children lives are in extreme danger and if enforcement laws are not made strict punishments should be made. Providing relief and providing protection to these children involved in armed conflict is essential to obtaining and creating peace among all countries. Overcoming children and armed conflict among model UN countries is going to provide a positive affect in the long run, encouraging countries to turn things around and make things right for these children in the risk of violence.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Eric Brichetto
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Children are not meant to be exposed to armed conflict. By their very nature of innocence and immaturity as human beings, it is often extremely traumatic for children who have experienced armed conflict, which in itself is a very chaotic and difficult thing to cope with even for mature adults. In addition, the issue of children and armed conflict is a complicated and multifaceted problem. Child soldiers, forced laborers, refugees, orphans, and victims of homicide or exploitation are all victims of armed conflict. Heartbreakingly, children have increasingly become the prime victims and, disturbingly, the instruments of armed conflict. For example, child soldiers are children forcefully recruited into the military (in direct violation of international law, and which is defined as a war crime) who are subsequently brainwashed and utilized in such roles as informers, cannon fodder, clearers of minefields, hostage-takers, assassins, messengers, spotters, human shields, and the less exotic role of a soldier. Many armed groups have found that children are easier and cheaper to recruit, manipulate, indoctrinate, etc. due to their vulnerability and immaturity. Children are abducted, terrorized, forced to murder family members or other children, and sometimes even manipulated into becoming severely addicted to hard drugs and dependent on their supplying fighting group; these brutal methods and several others are used as efficient techniques for recruitment and maintaining loyalty. In addition, children across the globe are arrested and arbitrarily held in detention, sometimes for long periods of time and sometimes without trial, simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example, Omar Ahmed Khadr, the only Western citizen still in the facility and the youngest person held there, has been held in the United States’ Guantanamo Bay concentration camps for 7 years, allegedly due to his throwing of a grenade that killed an American soldier (which occurred when he was fifteen years of age); however, as shown by documents accidentally released by the Pentagon in 2008, there has been no evidence whatsoever that he threw the grenade save for the fact that he was in the building at the time. Furthermore, girls are often prime targets for exploitation in armed conflicts; they are often abducted and raped (which subsequently results in their being stigmatized by their communities for being “tainted”), held as “wives” of combatants, and are increasingly and disturbingly used as soldiers. The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict has defined the following war crimes as the most severe and grave violations against children in conflict:killing or maiming of children; recruitment or use of children as soldiers; attacks against schools or hospitals; denial of humanitarian access for children; abduction of children; and rape and other grave sexual abuse of children.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is relieved to say that it has no problems with child soldiers. Iran is a very stable and peaceful country, with a close and friendly relationship between government and citizenry. Iran therefore has no need for child soldiers in any case. It should be noted, however, that the Iranian definition of a minor and the definition of a child is different from that of countries in the West. In Iran, there is no specific definition of a child, but the age where a boy becomes a man is known as the age of maturity, involving both physical and mental growth, and is commonly understood to be fifteen lunar years. In any case, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a member state of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and willingly follows the obligations detailed therein, though it reserves the right not to adhere to the Convention if it comes into conflict with domestic or Islamic law.

Iran wishes to have good relations with all countries, even the United States, and hopes that the international community is understanding and accepting of Iran’s policies on the matter. Iran would be particularly appreciative of support from Bangladesh, India, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Georgia, Sudan, Senegal, and Uzbekistan.

Iran is in firm opposition to the tyrannical and illegal Zionist regime of Israel. It also expects opposition from the United States, although Iran would _always_ be happy to have peaceful and friendly talks with the United States once it ceases its hypocrisy and resolves to commit itself to its own ideals of peace, freedom, and justice.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Evie Atwater
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Israel is thoroughly dedicated to eliminating the use of child soldiers and lessening the terrible impact of war on children. We support SC Resolution 1882, and we wish to see similar resolutions that take more specific action against those who use child soldiers. While regional governments can be helpful in combating child soldiering, we wish to see more responsibility placed with NGOs and international assistance programs. Programs that prevent enlistment, rescue enlisted children, and secure futures for rescued children are of utmost importance to stopping the use of child soldiers.

Israel is deeply concerned about the number of children who have been effected by Palestinian violence and terrorism. Terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah have been specifically targeting and bombing Israeli schools for the past 40 years. Countless innocent children have died as a result of the violence, and thousands more have been wounded or deeply traumatized. Palestinian terrorist organizations regularly use their own children as human shields, suicide bombers, and soldiers, leading to a regrettably large loss of young lives. We wish to see definitive action taken against violent resistance organizations who use child soldiers both in the Middle East and worldwide.

Children are our future. Everyone can agree that we wish to see a brighter future for our children, and a brighter future for humanity. To achieve this, the UN must take an active role in eliminating the use of child soldiers, helping children who have been affected by conflict, and implementing education and development programs for children worldwide. Israel wishes to play an active role in securing a brighter future for the world's children.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Libya
Delegate Name: Brittany Simpson
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy

Libya would like to express it’s concerns and condemnation of the crimes committed against children in armed conflicts, the use of these children is a sacrifice not easily forgotten. We would also like to state that we are with the Security Council Working Group and their actions to to try protect children in armed conflicts as well as removing these children from “hotbeds” of tension. However, as we have previously stated , “We appeal to the Working Group to avoid selectivity and double standards in the course of formulating its recommendation and its actions as those should not be politicized”.

We would like to emphasize that recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is still taking place. Children are taking part in patriotic wars by their own choice. Now if a international standard to end the abuse of children in a military fashion is set then we would do all we could to meet those standards. One way that we encourage that this international standard be made is the help from international institutions and donors help implement programs that appeal by the Secretary-General and receive a positive response from the international community, such influential actors and the World Bank. Although we would like to discourage the long-term resources for any use by UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, national organizations and civil society to promote child protection activities.

So along with everything that we have stated we also believe the following, “It must not be forgotten that the best way to protect children in armed conflict is to prevent the out break of such conflicts by addressing the motivations and root causes of conflicts”.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Malawi
Delegate Name: Kendall Frimodig
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The nation of Malawi would like to first say that the issue of children being used as soldiers is especially common in our own continent, Africa. This issue can be very predominant in developing countries with most of their populations consisting of peoples under the age of fifteen. Young minds are very easy to develop, twist, and brainwash. This is why children are often trained to be violent; because they will do most of anything they are told. Another issue with children being born into a violent lifestyle are the after effects. Children that are used for acts of violence usually tend to carry on the same violent mentality that has been taught to them. The nature of conflict is changing, and civilians are increasingly on the frontline. The deathtoll on children is more frightning than ever. All nations should make every effort to protect children and make protection of civilians a part of military planning.

Malawi does not only oppose the use of children in armed conflict, but also the recruitment of children. Those who join the armed forces should be eighteen years of age. Also serving in the armed forces must be voluntary, according to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Malawi recognizes the importance of stopping children from being soldiers. We also recognize the need to protect minors from being recruited as soldiers, however the power of one country alone cannot solve the problem. We call upon all nations, to fight this war on children’s rights.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Mexico
Delegate Name: Brett Fogel
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Across the globe there have always been problems with child soldiering and children involved with armed conflict. Child soldiering separates and ruins families. At one moment a family is full and all together like any average family, and then at the next moment a child is abducted and forced to join the military or recruited to serve without warning and with no previous knowledge. Families fall victim to these atrocities so often in so many places; this makes it extremely difficult to combat the child soldier issue since the problem is so widespread. Once children become involved in militia groups, families almost always never see their children again. Often times, children are recruited and taken away during educational hours; this also makes families more reluctant to send their children to school when they near the older stages of adolescence. In nations that suffer from large amounts of child trafficking, there have been efforts to control child soldiering by making it much more difficult to enlist in the military if the student is under 18 and the process has been slowed in some countries thanks to UN or government officials intervening and overseeing military recruitment and enlistment. The UN committee for Rights of the Child has proposed much legislation regarding the child soldiering issue and has urged many other countries to take action in the fight against child soldiering. Government intervention has big a part in stopping children in armed conflict, but in some countries the government could do more.

Mexico does have some under-18’s in the military, but the earliest age at which a person can enter military service and enlist is age 16. We make sure everyone in the Mexican military goes through the proper training before beginning any sort of actual service. Anyone wishing to enlist in the military from ages 16-21 needs consent from the parents. We do not aim at “tearing families” so before anyone under 18 can do anything military related, the person wishing to enlist needs to agree, and the process always goes through the parents, as well. There is said to be some participation of under-18’s in paramilitary groups, but these are highly secretive groups and it is extremely difficult to prevent minors from becoming active in them because they are so hard to keep track of. As a nation, we are still doing all we can to make sure the involvement of children in paramilitary stays as low as possible.

We are in agreement with nations that keep illegal child soldiers out of the military. We support nations that enforce the necessary rules and regulations are followed if an under-18 wishes to enlist in military service. We agree with nations that get the proper consent from parents if a minor wishes to join the military and also that it is the decision of the enrollee. We would likely be opposed to nations that don’t make sure the necessary training is accomplished for under-18’s wishing to enlist and that the proper consent is gathered so that all families’ wishes are respected.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Mozambique
Delegate Name: Ian Savas
School: Roeper School

Mozambique’s first recorded inhabitants began to live there from zero to four hundred A.D. The country was colonized from fifteen hundred to nineteen seventy-five. This colony was always under Portuguese control. Several years before independence there was an uprising against the Portuguese government. The uprising used guerrilla tactics but was soon crushed by the Portuguese. A few years later Portugal gave independence to Mozambique along with several other African nations. This liberation caused mass amounts of Portuguese to leave the country this caused a collapse within the country’s economy. For a few years after independence a government to hold this drew its values from Marxist ideals. In nineteen seventy-seven a new political group formed to combat the communist one. At this point many Portuguese found themselves leaving the country due to the fear of war. A civil war broke out around this time; the two major fighting groups were the FRELIMO (the Marxist group) and the RENAMO (Mozambique Resistance Movement). The RENAMO were a group of rebels attempting to up-root the government while the FRELIMO attempted to maintain control of the country. The RENAMO were infamous for using inhuman war tactics such as forced starving, random killings of civilians, and child soldiers. The war lasted for 16 years and crippled the country’s economy. The FRELIMO government had been allied with the Soviet Union. RENAMO was aligned with South Africa. In late nineteen-eighty to early nineteen-ninety support for the rebel cause was diminished in both South Africa and in the United States. With the end of the U.S.S.R in 1991, FRELIMO lost its major supporter. Around this time there were peace talks between both fighting groups and a constitution was adopted. The two rival armies became the two political parties of today.

In nineteen ninety-nine Resolution #1261 was adopted by the Security Council. This resolution was passes unanimously. The second clause of this document states “Strongly condemns the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict,” this clearly states the opinion of the United Nations on Children of armed conflict. Other passages from said resolution include “Urges all parties to armed conflicts to ensure that the protection, welfare and Rights of children are taken into account” which comes from the seventh clause of the resolution. At the session in which the resolution was adopted the countries of Argentina, Burundi, Canada, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Latvia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine were asked to attend the session with observer status The Security Council also passed a similar resolution in August of 2009. There for Mozambique agrees with these two past resolutions and believes that the proper course of action should include the attempted elimination of children soldiers, in order to prevent another conflict such as the one that happened in Mozambique.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Netherlands
Delegate Name: Elena Misailedes
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to begin by recognizing that the issue of children in armed conflict is a many-faceted problem that requires action on more than one front. The most imperative and deplorable of these issues is without a doubt the use of children as armed combatants in internal or international conflict in several states across the globe. This grave trend is now well documented in twenty nations, more of which may soon be reported. Children, being by nature more impressionable and easier to manipulate than adults, have become a major source of new recruits for governments and armed civilian groups across the globe. These child soldiers are forced to contribute to already widespread vilence, becoming violent themselves. Experiences such as these inevitably lead to profound psychological scarring, preventing former child soldiers from becoming functioning citizens without significant support during their reintegration into society.

In regards to this markedly disturbing trend, it is the belief of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that the United Nations has two main objectives which it must accomplish for the sake of international security and the protecton of minors worldwide. First, as always, significant measures must be taken to prevent the further spread of this porblem. The first of these measures should be the creation of an international standard of recruitment for both government militias and militant groups within a nation, specifying a minimum age of recruitment and the circumstances under which a young person may enter into military service. This standard may vary based on national customs, but the minimum age of service would be no lower than sixteen in any state. Under such legislation, any government or group found in violation of these principles would be subject ot disciplinary action by the United Nations or, in the case of militant civil groups, by the government of the state in which they are located.

The second problem that must be addressed by the United Nations is theavailablilty of educational and plychological support for former child soldiers. These scarred and fruquently unstable individuals present a threat to future world peace if adequate services are not made available to them. The task of establishing such services may be delegated to smaller United Nations committee, but is entirely necessary in the quest to end the practice of using children as soldiers.

Another area in which critical action is needed b the United Nations is the prevention and discontinuaton of war crimes against children. Again, because children are inherently vulnerable, they are especially susceptible to physical and sexual violence. In most developing countries currently experiencing violent conflict,young females are especially one of the most vulnerable demographics, as they are not only more likely than boys to experience sexual violence, but often do not have the education or rights under law to protest such occurrences. To this end, it is the opinion of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that is is imperative that the United Nations play a role in correcting this situation. In order to accomplish this, it is reccommended that a United Nations resolution be passed, in keeping with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, increasing the severity of punishment for individuals found guilty of war crimes against children. Similarly, any national government found to be endorsing or ignoring evidence of such crimes would be subject to strict UN-imposed sanctions.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Ryan Wint
School: Ann Arbor Community High School

The United Nations plan on reducing child conflict in the world took a step forward recently by publicly stating that all countries must follow the United Nations resolution that came into place in 2009. New Zealand supports the United Nation attempts to resolve the issue but thinks that more could and should be done to help the situation. Through out the world there has been more and more children in conflict, specifically in Africa, and the problem has not slowed down. The United Nations is yet to take action needed on the already present issues in the world. New Zealand feels that we have been following the rules set by the United Nations and the United Nations should take immediate action on those who fail to meet with the set regulations.

New Zealand believes that countries should make a much better attempt to meet the guidelines on the United Nations resolution. If the United Nations feels countries aren’t complying with the resolution then repercussions should be placed on said countries. All countries IN the United Nations should be complying with the regulations set by the United Nations, New Zealand being one of them and those not following them should be punished. The United Nations should take a serious look at the issue of children involved in armed conflict and countries not following regulations that were set to ensure these crimes are stopped..

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Brooke Michelson
School: Roeper School

Child soldiers and the armed conflict is a growing issue that is detrimental to globally accepted human rights. Children are innocent and therefore extremely vulnerable. An estimated 250,000 children under age eighteen are fighting in violent conflicts worldwide. Many more are being recruited and trained. Child suffering due to warfare comes in many forms, from the illicit forcing of young boys under eighteen to engage in violent situations, to the sexual exploitation of young girls.

Significant and tangible progress has been made globally such as political-level initiatives to disband any forces using child labor as well as global awareness of the issue. The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed resolution #1882 in 2009. This resolution dealt with the exploitation of children in an armed conflict, and recognized every aspect on a global scale. However, resolution 1882 recognized that the exploitation and maiming of children is still occurring in many nations, resulting in tragic and unnecessary casualties.

Nations where the continued exploitation of children and the denial of essential rights includes the Philippines, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.

We, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, have a population of 131.5 million, with 67.4 million under age eighteen. We firmly adhere to and believe in the basic human rights of our citizens. Our numerous military schools are quality and safe institutions. No violent or armed activity is participated in by any youths, other than parade and discipline. Despite the majority of our population lying in the youth, we have not recruited a single soldier under age eighteen. However, children and armed conflict remains an issue of high importance in our nation.

While significant steps toward peace have been made, unrest and ethnic clashes still remain, especially in the Niger Delta region where ethnicity and competition for oil wealth contribute to conflict and hatred. In Nigeria, child soldiers are recruited into criminal gangs and vigilante groups. Vigilante groups, especially located in the Niger Delta region, recruit children as young as ten years old. These include groups such as the OPC (O’odua People’s Congress) of the Yoruba ethnicity and The Bakassi boys in the east. Groups mainly composed of youths in the Niger delta region include The Egbesu boys and MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta).

Criminal gangs such as the “Area boys” live through extortion and robbery in our commercial capital of Lagos. This criminal group would recruit children and then equip them with small arms. In 2005 our armed forces made strides to rehabilitate young members, and return them to peaceful civilian life.

We recognize the proliferation of small arms as a major threat to world peace, and particularly to the peace of our continent and nation. These groups are able to recruit and provide children with weapons, due the illicit global trade of small arms. We call upon all nations to see this as an issue of high importance and to fully implement the United Nations Program of Action on Small and Light Weapons.

Equally as important to the actual recruiting of children as soldiers is their psyche and emotional scars. During times of armed conflict, children are often abandoned, neglected and denied access to basic needs such as clean water and shelter. Young girls are abused and sexually exploited. The children are the future of our nation, and our world. To recruit, neglect, and exploit is to instill fear and hatred in generations to come. Nigeria calls on all nations to act to end this blight on youth and humanity.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: North Korea
Delegate Name: Emma Green
School: Royal Oak High School

The emotional and physical harm inflicted upon child soldiers around the world is to be heard as a cry for help. According to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, “ferocious conflicts on Gaza, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, and Afghanistan have led to” these increased numbers of children and total casualties. There no reason the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would be unwilling to work with members of the United Nations to correct these wrongs.

As a country with the world’s largest per capita military, we can truly appreciate the place that military prowess plays in political standing. Unfortunately a lack of organization and proper infrastructure has led to the unfortunate predicament of child soldiers. These young people are grossly mistreated and seemingly ignored. The killing, maiming, and raping of children is not to be stood for or neglected on the United Nation’s list of priorities. The long standing abuses must be dealt with in a way that does not intrude upon the individual government of each country, and allow larger countries to force their way into control.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea urges the United Nations to seek a solution that will not further the agenda of any countries seeking to gain power from the monstrosity of this type of warfare. The solution to this problem should be able to be instituted by any government and is proportionate in the way in which it is implemented. We hear this as a cry from many countries to enter into a new stage of political awareness, in which agenda is not set by a powerful few.

The United Nations is, and always has been, as site where countries can come together on even ground in order to solve these issues in a swift and forceful manner. Too much consideration should not be granted to the word of those political beings clamoring for more attention, or power. We look forward to working with all nations interested in creating a solution to this pressing and heated issue.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Norway
Delegate Name: Alexis Courtney
School: Mattawan High School

There are an estimated 300,000 child soldiers around the world. Unfortunately, this number continues to grow as more children are forced into or recruited for use in active combat. The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities (Child soldiers), 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 propaganda. Both girls and boys as young as age seven are victims of this atrocity.

Norway has made drastic efforts to eliminate the use of children in armed combat. We not only have recognized this as being a heinous and gruesome crime but have implemented a system for ending the use of child soldiers, but we follow through with our efforts. According to Article 77.2 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, adopted in 1977 children under the age of fifteen are not legally permitted to join the armed forces. Norway has taken stricter measures on this issue. Under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, which was adopted and signed in 2002, National armed forces can accept volunteers into their armed forces below the age of 18. Norway, however, disagrees with this. In Norway, the minimum age you must be to even volunteer for armed forces is eighteen. In a November 2006 statement to the UN Security Council, the Norwegian ambassador welcomed the commitment of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict to a work plan "that includes consideration of specific situations and regular review of all situations of concern".At a February 2007 ministerial meeting in Paris, Norway and 58 other states endorsed the Paris Commitments to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups and the Paris Principles and guidelines on children associated with armed forces or armed groups. The documents reaffirmed international standards and operational principles for protecting and assisting child soldiers and followed a wide-ranging global consultation jointly sponsored by the French government and UNICEF.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Marcella Pudnos
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is alarmed by the number of underage children recruited into armies all over the world. Children make up approximately half of the Pakistani population, and we accordingly strive to protect the rights and lives of our invaluable youth.

In 1990, Pakistan attended the World Summit for Children and adopted a declaration on the survival, protection, and development of children. Though we may lack the resources of larger, more economically blessed countries, we still try very hard to provide the children of our country with adequate protection. To further implement to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, our government has established a National Commission for Child Welfare and Development. To keep abreast of developing concerns and anticipate new problems as our world expands and evolves our commission is assisted by a number of insightful committees which review existing legislation and policies and adapt them as necessary to ensure the fulfillment of the highest standards for our youth. We believe our children are the future of our world, and we look to them for a better, brighter tomorrow.

As a result of this conference, we would like to influence other nations to protect their youth from armed conflict and keep them safe. Also, we would like to see an increased and sincere effort toward providing more and better-equipped schools, proper nutrition, and sounder infrastructures for the world’s youth because one day, today’s youth will govern our world and lead us into a boundless new era.

Respectfully submitted,

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Palestine
Delegate Name: Mitra Darakhshandeh
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy

We do not support the recruiting or usage of child soldiers, or children in disputes that involve governments and other countries. We do recognize because of the state of affairs currently in Palestine that children have been exposed to very adult, difficult, and deadly situations. Do to the nature of the constant and on going disruption and exposure to war children have lost many people in their lives: aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, and the most horrible of all parents. Because of these losses children feel compelled to become involved in conflicts they do not belong in.

A child is sleeping his bed and a bulldozer comes and destroys their home. A child goes to the bakery in the morning and dodges bullets there and back to provide breakfast for his/her family. A child watches a soldier shoot his best friend standing next to him for throwing a rock. These children cannot be considered children because their childhood has been stolen by these horrific and unimaginable acts of war between men. While Palestine neither recruits nor condones the use of child soldiers we do recognize the desire on the part of children to become involved in these conflicts.

Israel has been accused, by more then one nation, of using Palestinian children for purposes of intelligence gathering. These children are recruited and discarded solely for the purposes of the continued domination by Israel. They compound the injustice of Israel’s occupation by destroying any chance these children might have of having any peaceful future. Adults recognize the power and influence they can exert over a child and Israel, is capitalizing on this premise; and the greatest crime of all is the indefensible act of using children as human shields. No one, from any government, any nation, or any culture around the world, could come up with a reason to justify this practice this.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Poland
Delegate Name: Katelyn Coghlan
School: Saline High School

Poland shares views on children in armed conflict, child trafficking, and teenage prostitution, with many of their European neighbors. Poland believes that children’s rights should not be violated, but they put a large emphasis on the role and rights of the family.

The issue of children in armed conflict hasn’t been relevant in Poland, and Poland has never taken place in a conflict where children were fighting. Poland’s government has put a huge emphasis on family rights, and the family’s role in protecting their child. The belief is that the issues with children, such as alcoholism, illegal drugs, teenage prostitution, ect; is because of the roles and hardships within the family.

Irena Kowalska stated, “that the children's rights listed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child should be implemented with respect for parental authority and in accordance with Polish customs and traditions which described people's places inside and outside the family” and that "today the family was affected by widespread and fast social and cultural changes. Many parents met the needs of contemporary life, however a difficult economic situation of a family often led to the disintegration of natural family bonds, which in turn resulted in pathological social phenomena such as alcoholism, drug addiction, teenager prostitution and child trafficking. The above phenomena constituted a violation of the children's right to grow in love and safety". Poland believes that the issue with children and armed conflict, can be traced back to issues within the family, and the violation of family rights.

Poland puts a strong emphasis on the role of the family in children’s rights. In general, Poland remains open to most suggestions with creating an international document on protecting family’s rights.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Chloe Bryan
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The use and exploitation of children in armed conflict continues to be a pressing issue around the globe, particularly in the distressed nations of Sudan, Somalia, the Gaza strip, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Violations include rape, mutilation, and forced labor, as well as the participation of children in active warfare. The Russian Federation deplores these actions as inexcusable violations of human rights, and seeks an effective and lasting cessation of such violations.

In order to improve this pressing situation, we must consider the current victims of this cruel system as well as work to prevent the inception of a new generation of child soldiers. The Russian Federation remains cautiously optimistic in the wake of several nations’ attempts to develop action plans to halt the use and recruitment of children, and fully supports the recently passed Resolution 1882, which establishes a “Name and Shame” system for countries and organizations guilty of this abuse. It also applauds the efforts of UNICEF and related nongovernmental organizations for their efforts to remove these oppressed children from combat, provide for their basic needs, and successfully reintegrate them into a stable and appropriate society. The Russian Federation urges national governments to further address these issues if possible.

The Russian Federation stresses the importance of diplomacy in situations such as these, especially bearing in mind that many parties have been given timetables for the implementation of their action plans. However, should the perpetrator fail to act on its own, additional action must be taken. In some situations, sanctions are inevitable.

Russia expects national governments to act, if possible, to improve conditions in their respective countries – an endeavor that certainly includes the condemnation of the use of children in armed conflict.

The required age to voluntarily enlist in the Russian military is 18; however, the prominent Chechen opposition group previously within Russia was known to utilize underage soldiers in combat before it was disabled. As such, Russia is quite familiar with the issue at hand, and desires to see its end as soon as realistically possible.

The Russian Federation looks forward to a peaceful resolution.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Somalia
Delegate Name: Maxwell Bradford
School: Cranbrook Kingswood

As of 2008 Somalia has no national-level armed forces. Without a military it is impossible for this country to enforce even the most basic human rights. Consequentially Somalia is primarily run by militias. This has led children to participate in military struggles over illegal arms trade. It is absolutely crucial that the United Nations participate in ending this atrocity. If the United Nations were to use military force to help stabilize the situation in Somalia, there could only be positive outcome. The widespread death and lack of governmental influence has left Somalia a war-torn and devastated country in the eastern coast of Africa. Enacting Marshal Law while completely demilitarizing the country would be the first step to a stable and functioning country.

Stopping the violence is crucial to stopping the flow of illegal weapons. In a Marshal Law Situation it would be easier for the military to remove and raid all of the illegal weapon caches in Somalia. With the weapons in the country being removed and the flow of weapons into the country at a standstill the United Nations could then start to create an actual government. The situation in Somalia is dire, and we call upon the United Nations to help our nation become a self governed and safe place for the Somalia youth. If the violence continues the future for Somalia will remain bleak. The fighting, insecurity and widespread killing needs to stop. For the United Nations to not focus primarily on the reality that Somali has child run militias committing widespread murder is unjust. The children of Somalia need the aid of the United Nations to help repair what little they have left in their country.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Madeline Kayes
School: Cranbrook Kingswood

Children and armed conflict is an international issue affecting millions of children around the world. Since the establishment of South Africa as its own sovereign independent nation, South Africa hasn’t faced conflict against other countries. However, South Africa sees children rights as crucial issue of human rights. A large section of South Africa’s constitution is devoted to establishing the rights of children within its borders. Although South Africa’s constitution does not explicitly discuss children and armed conflict, it does state children have the right to “be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation”, This includes children not being part of conflicts such as war. The delegation from South Africa believes that children’s rights should be an issue taken very seriously and handled very delicately in the United Nations. Children are unable to defend their own rights, so as adults we have a moral and legal responsibility to protect them.

South Africa appreciates the Security Council’s 1882 Resolution condemning countries that had children dying due to armed conflict. However, South Africa believes that the continued support of the Security Council and United Nations as a whole is necessary to eliminate children presence in armed conflict. The delegation from South Africa calls upon other countries to join us in the fight against children and armed conflict. We believe that this committee should clarify parts of the 1882 Resolution by including ways in which member states can fight the effects of children due to armed conflict. As seen in the fact that children have still been killed in large numbers, even after this resolution was passed, the we, the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian have an obligation to pave new paths to create universal peace for and freedom from violence for children.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Kelsey Marthens
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The Republic of Korea would first off like to say how deeply concerned we are with the issue involving sexual violence against children in armed conflict. This should be taken seriously and considered a serious crime. We are also disturbed that only 9 out of the 63 armed groups have even taken this into consideration and have made plans to stop the recruitment of child soldiers. The number of persistent perpetrators has increased in the last year by 16. These perpetrators have also been accused of committing rape and sexual violence against children.

We feel that we need to strengthen the MRM (Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism) to help protect these children, and expand to include sexual violence. The Security Council also needs to take these actions into consideration and target these perpetrators. If we do not respond strongly to these issues they will continue. We also have had great concern for these actions in the following countries: Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Cote d’ Ivoire, DR Congo, Haiti, Somalia, and Sudan. Although we list Cote d’ Ivoire, we would like to acknowledge that they have showed progress. With that being said, we still feel that it is a serious issue in that country.

We need to start to prepare action plans to the armed groups that haven’t showed concern in stopping the recruitment of child soldiers. We need to have contact with the UN and non-member states without prejudice. We also like to say, again, that we need to be urgent on dealing with persistent perpetrators. The Security Council has a wide range in which ways they can react to this issue. A resolution needs to be passed that includes the issues of rape and sexual violence. The time is now, to safeguard the future generation of child soldiers.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Gillian Lazzarini
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

Because of the amount of war and conflict in the country of Sudan over the past decade, there have been slight issues with children and armed conflict. Mainly centered around the Darfur region on the west side of the country, rebel army groups have been grafting children into their armies. With an approximate number of about 487 children being used in war, there has been much discrepancy with the UN. We the Sudan do not support the use of children as soldiers, but acknowledge that it is inevitable. For there are many unauthorized armies that abduct children without consent even though it is outlawed.

With the harsh and perilous situation that the Sudan is currently in the only thing that can be done is taking precautions. We the Sudanese government are trying our best to decrease the number of children that are involved in armed conflict, but understand the limitations. With the state of the country there is no way that the use of children in war can be completely eliminated. With the Darfur Peace Agreement and other pieces of peaceful legislature the use of children in war is hoped to greatly decrease, and already has decreased in the past few years. With great precautions and steps the elimination of the contribution of children in war in the country of Sudan will be achieved.

We the country of Sudan are open to appropriate and practical solutions to this grave issue. We wish that people will understand our situation and can help us the best they can.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Syria
Delegate Name: Natalie Grove
School: Cranbrook Kingswood

One major problem that the world has not adequately addressed is the refugee problem in Syria. 1.1 million refugees from Iraq have fled into the neighboring nation of Syrian Arab Republic, because of the war. Most of these refugees are without the necessary items to survive and live a sanitary life. For example many do not have clean water or enough food. Although many of the adults are well educated there are no jobs for them nearby and therefore no money for them to make. Also there are no schools in the refugee camps and so the children cannot be educated. These refugees are not familiar with basic hygiene such as hand washing and bathing. As a result many of them get sick and do not have access to health care. Women have been abused and children have been abducted. These people are stressed and have hard lives which leads to the increase of crime rate and violence within the refugee camps. Countries need to take action and help these refugees with aid and resettlement because many of them are not able to return to Iraq because the violence that is still occurring near their homes is dangerous. Moreover, some of them fled Iraq for political reasons and will face death threats if they return. The U.S. and some European countries have agreed to allow more refugees to resettle within their borders. However the U.S. in particular, and other nations in general could raise their quotas for resettlement and move faster to produce the appropriate visa.

The Syria Arab Republic has reduced government control over business and certain aspects of society, but they continue to abuse the human rights of their people. They have a long and recent history of punishing people for criticizing the government in writing and in speeches. People get arrested for speaking their minds about the government’s decisions. Once arrested, they don’t always have trials and often their families can find out where they are or if they are even alive. When there are elections, the Baath party puts only one name is on the ballet, so there is no real choice for the people.

Syria does recognize that these are major problems that need to be fixed. Many organizations such as the UNHCR, UNICEF, and the United Nations have done things to help the refugees. The United States has promised that they will allow 17,000 refugees from Syria to come live in the U.S. The leader of Syria, al-Assad, has resisted any pressure from the rest of the world to improve Syria’s human rights and does not want any other nations interfering with their internal matters.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Cheyenne Wallace
School: Royal Oak High School

Turkey is deeply concerned with the number of children exposed to armed conflict around the world, either serving rebel groups, the government, or simply living in an area affected by armed conflict. These children have been sexually abused, maimed, murdered,affected by disease and malnutrtition, and deprived from social interaction.

This is all severely detrimental to a child’s well being; it affects them both psychologically and physically. Turkey would like to work towards their recovery. We realize that the base of this issue is in the armed conflict itself, and in order to aid the children, we must first take this on. This would be one of the issues we would like to work out with fellow countries. After this is taken care of, Turkey would like to see action taken to recover child combatants’ health. This would include educating them, providing food, healthcare, and intensive therapy. Realizing that procedures such as this require money, we would like to establish businesses in countries affected by armed conflict. This would provide both jobs, and economic stimulation. A portion of the profits from the said businesses would go towards local charities and organizations, then providing opportunities for the local peoples to better their situation. We would also like to discuss the possibilities for preventing children from being recruited in the future.

The country of Turkey is looking forward to working with many of you towards achieving peace for children. We believe this is possible through solving conflict, establishing a source of income for locals, and providing support for those affected by armed conflict.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Huaitao Zhang
School: Cranbrook Kingswood

The future of every country depends solely and fundamentally on its posterity. Over the past decade, over 250,000 children have died because of forced participation in armed conflict. Another 1 million children became orphans due to armed conflict. What’s more, an amount of 4 million children were maimed. Children are killed or maimed, made orphans, kidnapped, deprived of education and health care, and left with everlasting horror. Girls face additional risks, particularly sexual violence and exploitation. The numbers in these categories keep rising yet no action can be seen. We believe that humankind will have a challenging future if this goes on. Coerced action should be taken if the violators will not submit. In the United Kingdom, even though we do recruit many underage people into the armed forces, the underage recruits join under their own free will. Unlike the coerced children armies, we allow patriotic teenagers to show fealty for their own country by volunteering for the army.

The delegate of United Kingdom strongly believes that immediate action should be taken in order to protect the children from armed conflict. We suggest the UN to start interfering with these truculent organizations. In order to protect our next generation, we must act with speed and force.

The United Kingdom recognizes the importance of stopping these recruitments of the underage group. The delegate of the United Kingdom stresses and reaffirms the need to protect the next generation in armed conflicts; however the power of one country alone cannot solve the problem. The United Kingdom has started a program in 1998 called CSR (Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers) which works to end the recruitment of children soldiers. We wish for more countries to set up more NGOs similar to CSR to help the children involved in armed conflict.

The United Kingdom believes that the most effective way is that the United Nations sends out a message to the most powerful countries in the world to protect children in armed conflict. The United Kingdom will deploy a certain number of troops in areas of turmoil in order to suppress a number of local illegal organizations. We strongly encourage countries with the abilities to take on such a mission to act right now.

Topic: Children and Armed Conflict
Country: United States
Delegate Name: MacKenzie Rennick
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The United States of America is aware that in many parts of the world, countries and other military groups recruit and force underage (15 years of age or younger) civilians to serve in active battle duty. The United States believes that this is a gross violation of human rights and that certain actions should be taken to end this practice, lest the lives of more children become threatened.

The United States has a responsible policy concerning children in the armed forces. Voluntary enlistment is limited to citizens aged 17 and up. This is in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, which urges nations to increase the voluntary enlistment age from 15. In addition, the United States does not place these minors into direct battle, instead relegating them to safer duties, such as transportation. Finally the United States Military does not directly rely on conscription or coercing persons of any age.

Unfortunately, in areas of widespread conflict, such as in many African and Middle Eastern nations, the practice of underage soldiers being forced into the military is common. These children are often subject to disturbing rituals of initiation, many involving killing their own family members to reinforce that there is no life outside the army. Even if these children are lucky enough to avoid direct conflict, they are irrevocably scarred emotionally and encounter difficulty returning to normal society. The best way to prevent this problem is to stop the recruitment of these children. The members of the United Nations should prohibit the practice of recruiting underage soldiers to their military and discourage non-governmental groups from such recruitment by increasing the severity of punitive measurements for these crimes. The United States believes that if countries work together, this gross violation of human rights can be removed entirely.

Most Respectfully Submitted,

Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The United States of America