VietNamNet Bridge – The protection of children’s rights in armed conflicts requires enhanced cooperation and technical support between relevant sides such as governments, regional and international organisations, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations.

A plenary session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (Source: AFP/VNA)

A Vietnamese Representative to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations based in Geneva, Switzerland, made the point at a March 13 dialogue between the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representatives for Children and Armed Conflict.

The dialogue took place within the framework of the 25th session of the UNHRC, which was scheduled to last until March 28.

The Vietnamese official underlined the significance of setting out strategies and preventive measures as they partially help reduce conflicts, which are seen as the root of the violation of children’s rights in wars, while easing impacts of armed conflicts on children.

Any violence and ill-treatment against children should be punished appropriately, the representative said, suggesting governments pay more attention to bettering their legal systems and building action plans and policies with more priorities given to child protection.

He also presented Vietnam’s experience and achievements in this field as well as its commitments to joining hands with the international community to handle the issue.

The UNHRC’s 25th session is projected to deliberate and adopt several documents on children’s rights, including a resolution on children’s rights to legal access.

Vietnam has been working with the international community to protect children’s rights and fight against child violence in armed conflicts.

In 2009, Vietnam was one of the countries that hosted talks on a resolution on children in armed conflicts that was approved by the UNHRC.

Source: Vietnam Plus