A/HRC/21/38
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
28 June 2012
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twenty-first session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Annual report of the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Children and Armed
Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy
*
Summary
In the present report, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for
Children and Armed Conflict presents her activities undertaken in discharging her mandate,
including information on her field visits and on the progress achieved with regard to the
signing of action plans, in addition to challenges remaining on the children and armed
conflict agenda. The report covers the period from May 2011 to May 2012.
The Special Representative acknowledges the progress made since the previous
reporting period with regard to accountability for perpetrators of attacks on schools and
hospitals through the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1998 (2011), and with
regard to a system of deterrence for perpetrators of violations against children through the
first judgement of the International Criminal Court on the war crime of recruitment and use
of children. She also acknowledges the progress made with regard to the ratification of the
Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the signing of
action plans to release children from armed groups.
This progress notwithstanding, the Special Representative is concerned about the
continued impunity of violating parties and delays in the development of action plans for
the release of children in some countries. She also discusses other child protection issues,
such as the restoration of children’s rights through reparations and protective measures to
prevent children’s association with armed forces and groups. Moreover, the Special
Representative highlights the growing trend of killing and maiming children through the
use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
* The annexes to the present document are reproduced as received, in the language of submission only.
GE.12-14597