“In many conflicts all over the world, children are victims of brutal violence. They are kidnapped and forced to take part in fighting and acts of violence. They themselves are victims of murder, rape and mutilation. The situation with regard to girls is particularly precarious”, said Foreign Minister Plassnik.
The protection of children in armed conflicts is a particular concern of Austrian foreign policy. During the Austrian Presidency, the EU has taken a number of practical measures to improve the protection of children in armed conflicts. The "child protection guidelines" for civil and military missions of the European Union adopted by the EU yesterday are an important step in this direction. Their aim is to ensure that the particularly critical situation of children in armed conflicts is taken into account in all phases of civil and military EU missions. “We all have a special duty to protect children”, Plassnik said.
The child protection guidelines seek to ensure that the planning and conduct of EU operations make allowance for the special situation of children and their greater need for protection. The guidelines contain practical advice on measures to protect and assist children during EU operations. This includes, for example, observing and reporting violations of children’s rights and measures to promote the return of children to their families and communities. Particular attention is to be paid to girls. The guidelines also provide for child protection expertise being made available for EU operations in future. All members are to be trained in this area; there will be strict rules of behaviour to prevent misconduct by members of missions.
The child protection guidelines adopted yesterday are part of the European Union implementation strategy adopted in April under the Austrian Presidency, which aims to strengthen the activities of the entire EU system of child protection in armed conflicts.
Northern Uganda is a case in point: “The situation of children in Northern Uganda is without doubt one of the most appalling examples of crimes against children. That is why Austria is carrying out specific projects there in the framework of its development cooperation. We want to assist in the return of children to their families and to their community and so create the conditions for a better future for these children”, Plassnik said. In these projects, Austrian NGOs such as HORIZONT 3000 and Missio work together with specialised Ugandan and international partners on the reintegration and psycho-social care of child soldiers, and especially of girls. Some €700 000 were spent on projects in Northern Uganda in 2005 and 2006.
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