Al Jazeera

February 25^th, 2011 11:13am EST
Security Council Concerned about Children in Armed Conflict
Article by E. Doll
Al-Jazeera

At the start of the committee session, all delegates were present with the exception of the one from the United States of America (USA), and the dais quickly briefed all present on some of the rules before starting the first meeting. The topics to be covered were Combating International Terrorism, and Children in Armed Conflict. Portugal and India felt that Children in Armed Conflict is a pressing matter that is in need of immediate attention, while Brazil felt that it should be covered first to simply get it out of the way so that every one’s focus could be directed at Terrorism. India stood their ground that Children in Armed Conflict was still of more importance currently.

By the majority vote, it was decided that Children in Armed Conflict would be covered first. The United Kingdome (UK) sets speaking time at 60 seconds (1 minute), and the motion passes by majority vote.

Brazil believes that the governments of countries need to work on ways to gets child soldiers/workers under the age of 18 off the streets. Germany expressed concern that children in armed conflict are sexually abused and therefore are very much unable to live ordinary childhoods. India agreed with this point and suggested that trained medical personnel should be provided to perform regular examinations on these children and treat any injuries caused by sexual abuse.

Columbia expressed concern towards the issue that, in many cases, child soldiers are likely to become terrorists and thus a threat to the government and other civilians. Portugal believes that all countries should ban child soldiers, using the example of their own law in which children bearing arms under the age of 18 is illegal.

The UK called for an unmoderated caucus of 10 minutes; the motion passed. Information and ideas were exchanged between countries with similar points of view; though there was minor debate and argument, there was a majority agreement that child soldiers are indeed a very pressing concern. Brazil took a leading role in discussions, offering good arguments and serious points on both the topic of Children in Armed Combat, and Combating International Terrorism. Thoughts on how to assist child soldiers were discussed, such as counseling, as suggested by Portugal. UK points out that putting an end to terrorism could lead to preventing child soldiers before the end of the unmoderated caucus.

With sessions returning to formal debate, China declared they felt that children needed more freedom, but did not suggest ways to accomplish that. Brazil mentioned that one good way to get children out of armed conflict was education; being taught things that could help them get a proper job and stay out of war. The UK expressed their desire to have the topic of Children in Armed Conflict more closely discussed than they were currently being. After India stated that children need a safer environment, the UK once again called for an unmoderated caucus, the motion passed.

Many of the countries’ representatives pooled their thoughts together, and some of the subjects mentioned were building schools (South Africa pointed out that children can be abducted to be child soldiers on their way to and from school), poverty, and the rights of children; a subject which South Africa said, and I quote, “You can’t enforce children’s rights without focusing on women’s rights first.” During the middle of much of the intense discussions, the UK delegate accidently knocked over one of the countries nametags, which seemed to cause some laughter and lighten the other-wise very serious mood.

The Brazilian delegate felt that in order to prevent children from getting involved in war and terrorism, they need to be informed and made aware of the dangers of such acts and how wrong it is for kids to be doing those things. India pointed out that it would be important to boost the economy first, as the less children under the poverty line means less children need to get involved in armed conflict as a way to make money. Portugal agreed with India’s point and stated that countries should implement solutions to help children and their families. Brazil questioned how to go about doing that and what kind of solutions there are, but no one came up with a set answer.

Upon the closing of the session, I was left with a strong impression from the United Kingdom, feeling they were serious about coming up with solutions to prevent there being any more child soldiers and helping them live normal, healthy childhoods. However, countries like Russia hardly spoke up about any of it, leaving many to wonder how the Russian Government intends on ending terrorism and handling the issue of child soldiers. I feel that is an issue in itself.