49th session of the Human Rights Council

 

Item 3:

Interactive dialogue with the

Special Representative of the Secretary-General

for children and armed conflict

 

Geneva, 15 March 2022

Statement by Portugal

 

Mr. President,

We align with the statements delivered by the European Union, the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict and by the group of States of the Safe Schools Declaration.

Allow me, first of all, to acknowledge two important anniversaries.

Indeed, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict. As we celebrate it, I wish to congratulate the significant work carried out by the SRSG and her predecessors. This mandate enjoys Portugal’s unwavering support.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. We call on all States to ratify this Protocol and to implement it fully.

Mr. President,

Every day that goes by, we witness ever more dramatic footage of Ukraine being ravaged by the scourge of war.

After what we saw in Mariupol, we know all too well that children are also suffering from the brutalities of this conflict. They are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Portugal is deeply concerned by the lack of protection of children living in conflict zones, including in Ukraine.

We condemn – in the strongest possible terms – all grave human rights violations committed against children.

We deplore all attacks on schools and orphanages, and we call all States to protect education in conflict, including by endorsing and implementing the Safe Schools Declaration.

Madam Special Representative,

How can we foster stronger cooperation between your work and the Human Rights Council, including special procedures and the Universal Periodic Review, to make sure we protect the rights of children, particularly in the context of armed conflict?

  • Partilhe