Holy See urges UN to protect children in armed conflict

Last updated on: August 17, 2016 at 12:03 pm by CNA Daily News

Holy See urges UN to protect children in armed conflict 2016-08-17T12:03:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Aug 17, 2016 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After a recent report confirmed that violence against children has increased in conflict zones, the Holy See is urging the United Nations and local governments to protect the innocent youth who are caught in the crossfire of violence around the world.

“Never in recent memory have so many children been subjected to such violent brutality: children used as soldiers, suicide bombers, sex slaves, and disposable intelligence-gatherers in the most dangerous military operations,” read a recent statement from Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

“These crimes must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he said.

The archbishop's statements came during the United Nation's Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, which took place on Aug. 2 and was organized by the country of Malaysia.

The council reviewed the Secretary General's report on children caught in armed conflict, which confirmed that the 2015 year had only brought “increased intensity of grave violations.”

The report also noted that tens of thousands of young girls and boys have fallen prey to forced recruitment, sexual violence, and torture amidst the chaos of conflict zones. Over four thousand abductions had been reported in 2015 alone.

Although some progress such as counter-terror legislation has been passed in many instances, Archbishop Auza urged the UN and local governments to do more. He suggested a reintegration program for recovering child-soldiers and victims of sexual abuse as a way to heal the wounds inflicted on the innocent.

“A solution to the plight of children caught in armed conflict, in particular of child soldiers, requires sensitivity to finding ways to reintegrate these children back into their own communities,” the archbishop said.

He also encouraged an attitude of mercy and affirmation within the communities where the children are reintegrated, and spoke out against any prejudice that might hinder the acceptance of these children within their families.

“While we witness barbaric acts beyond anyone's imagination committed also by child soldiers, we must remember that these children are exploited and manipulated into what they have become,” Archbishop Auza stated, saying “we must also build pathways for counseling and reconciliation.”

Archbishop Auza denounced the continued airstrikes against schools and hospitals as intentional disregard for International Humanitarian Laws. He called upon the United Nations to “implement stronger measures for the protection of children in armed conflict.”

“In the fight against non-State armed groups and terrorism, States are urged to ensure that their responses to all threats against peace and security are conducted in full compliance with international humanitarian law, to ensure that children are not victimized twice,” the archbishop continued.

Urging the support from international communities, Archbishop Auza went on to say that “the obligation to put an end to barbaric acts against children caught in armed conflict is incumbent upon every one of us.”

“The Holy See hopes that the plight of children caught in armed conflict will awaken consciences, lead to a change of heart, and inspire all parties to lay down their arms and take up the path of dialogue.”

Vatican

Previous Post

August 17, 2016

Pope taps Dallas bishop to head new Vatican department for laity

Next Post

August 17, 2016 The mathematics of mercy – Pope Francis sees a lesson in Jesus' miracles

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jeremiah Samuel Moses Isaiah