Explainer: UN Drops India From Its Report On Children & Conflict

Recently, India has been removed from the list of countries mentioned in UN children and armed conflict list. Since 2010, India has been named in the list along countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Lake Chad basin, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. According to the report of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on ¡®Children and Armed Conflict¡¯, India has been ¡°removed from the report in 2023¡± in view of measures taken by the government to ¡°better protect children.¡± Stating the reason for this removal of India¡¯s name from the list

Officials of the Ministry of Women and Child Development said that this became possible due to the introduction of various policies and institutional changes since 2019. Previously, India was accused of recruiting and using boys in armed groups Jammu and Kashmir.

What is UN¡¯s Children and Armed Conflict list?

Reuters

The UN Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) list, also known as the "List of Shame," is a document compiled by the United Nations Secretary-General that identifies parties involved in armed conflict that have committed grave violations against children. The list is part of the UN's efforts to protect children in conflict zones and hold accountable those responsible for their suffering.

The CAAC list focuses on six grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict:

1. Killing or maiming of children: This includes intentional or indiscriminate attacks that result in the death or injury of children.

2. Recruitment or use of child soldiers: This refers to the involvement of children in armed forces or armed groups, either as combatants or in supporting roles.

3. Attacks on schools or hospitals: Parties that target educational or medical facilities, preventing children from accessing education and healthcare.

4. Sexual violence against children: This involves rape, sexual slavery, or any other form of sexual violence perpetrated against children.

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5. Abduction of children: The abduction or kidnapping of children, often for purposes such as forced recruitment, sexual exploitation, or ransom.

6. Denial of humanitarian access for children: Parties that obstruct or impede the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and other essential resources, to children in need.

The CAAC list aims to raise awareness, generate public pressure, and foster accountability for the parties involved in these violations. It serves as a tool for diplomatic engagement, targeted sanctions, or other measures to encourage parties to cease these violations, protect children, and promote peace and stability.

What has the government of India done to protect children in armed conflicts?

1. Ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict: This protocol prohibits the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18 in armed conflict.

2. Establishing the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): The NCPCR is an independent statutory body that works to protect the rights of children in India.

3. Amending the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: The amended act provides for more stringent punishments for those who recruit or use children in armed conflict.

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4. Providing training to armed and security forces on child protection: The government has trained over 50,000 security personnel on child protection.

5. Prohibiting the use of pellet guns: Pellet guns are a type of non-lethal weapon that can cause serious injuries to children. The government has banned the use of pellet guns in Jammu and Kashmir.

6. Establishing child-friendly spaces in conflict-affected areas: Child-friendly spaces are safe places where children can go to play, learn, and receive support.

7. Providing psychosocial support to children affected by armed conflict: Psychosocial support can help children cope with the trauma of armed conflict.