VN highlights the need of child protection in armed conflicts

Addressing the UNSC’s open debate on "Children and Armed Conflict", Ambassador Bùi Thế Giang stressed Việt Nam’s stance that, in any conflict, all parties should strictly observe international human rights and humanitarian laws.

He condemned all acts of violence and child abuse, calling on the UN and international community to further protect children in armed conflicts.

The diplomat supports the UN Secretary-General’s proposaḷ to increase the child protection mandate for all UN political and peace-keeping missions. He showed his agreement with the idea to establish appropriate mechanisms and strategies to share information and enhance cooperation for child protection in border areas.

The Vietnamese representative asked the UNSC to pay proper attention to and deal with all kinds of violation and child abuse.

Ambassador Giang argued that all child protection programs and measures should be put within a broader strategy to prevent armed conflicts and clear their root causes, especially poverty and other socio-economic development issues during and after conflicts.

Emphasizing the importance of education in prevent armed conflict and addressing crimes against children, the Ambassador gave his support to activities to raise the public awareness of child rights and disseminate experience of child protection at combat sites.

By Phương Hạnh