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Parliamentary question - E-002981/2014Parliamentary question
E-002981/2014

VP/HR — Protection of children in armed conflicts

Question for written answer E-002981-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 117
Ana Gomes (S&D)

The protection of children in armed conflicts is a priority for the EU, as outlined in the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict. The EU has also given its willing support to UN Security Council Resolution 1612, adopted in 2005, which proposed that an international monitoring and reporting mechanism be set up with the aim of protecting children involved in armed conflicts.

The resolution urged the UN Secretary-General to implement such a monitoring and reporting mechanism for those parties involved in armed conflicts that are listed in annexes to the UN Secretary-General’s report. However, it is important note that the annexes fail to list several countries in which child soldiers continue to be recruited and used. Moreover, a large number of the parties mentioned in the annexes are non-state armed groups.

What measures is the EU taking to protect children from being recruited and used as child soldiers by non-state armed groups not listed in the annexes to the UN Secretary-General’s report and, hence, not subject to the monitoring and reporting mechanism proposed in UN Security Council Resolution 1612?

In addition, in several instances non-state armed groups have disrupted educational activities in the societies in which they operate. What steps is the EU taking to prevent attacks by non-state armed groups on schools, in particular groups not subject to the monitoring and reporting mechanism proposed by UN Security Council Resolution 1612?

OJ C 333, 24/09/2014