KABUL - A report issued by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, at the end of her mission to Afghanistan in February this year, states that the Afghan Government has made important commitments to reduce the impact of the armed conflict on Afghan children.

Full report

“The Government has shown political will to deal with issues related to children and armed conflict,” Ms Radhika Coomaraswamy told the media at a press conference in Kabul at the end of her mission.

The Special Representative welcomed the appointment of a high-level focal point in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow-up on all Government commitments made and coordinate activities necessary to reduce the impact of the conflict on children, such as legislative reform, prevention of recruitment of children into the national armed forces and police, and the protection of boys and girls from sexual abuse and exploitation.

“I welcome the commitments made by the Government of Afghanistan aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children during situations of armed conflict and look forward to receiving updates on how these commitments have been positively implemented,” she added.

In her report, Ms Coomaraswamy encourages advocacy efforts to prevent the use of schools and health facilities as polling centres for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2010. There was a marked increase of incidents effecting education of children in August 2009 – when the presidential election was held – with 249 incidents reported against schools, compared with 48 incidents reported in July 2009, and 38 in September 2009. Attacks reported against health facilities also almost doubled that of previous month.

The report also welcomes the express support President Hamid Karzai gave to Ms Coomaraswamy for the inclusion of child protection provisions and dialogue in the forthcoming Advisory Peace Jirga.

“Peace remains the only hope for the future of Afghanistan and its children”, stated Ms Coomaraswamy.

SRSG Coomaraswamy visited Afghanistan from 20 to 26 February this year. 

Read the full report of the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict’s visit to Afghanistan.