17 augustus 2006

Op 14 augustus heeft Defence for Children International een verklaring uitgebracht betreffende het conflict in het Midden-Oosten. In de verklaring zegt Defence for Children diep bezorgd te zijn over de gevolgen van het conflict tussen Israël en Libanon, voor met name de kinderen. Defence for Children onderschrijft de oproep van de VN tot direct staakt-het-vuren en roept de betrokken partijen op om de noodzakelijke maatregelen te treffen om de bescherming en de zorg van kinderen te verzekeren die door de vijandigheden worden getroffen en zich te houden aan het internationale humanitair recht, in het bijzonder het VN-Verdrag inzake de Rechten van het Kind (artikel 38). Zie hieronder voor de originele (Engelstalige) tekst.

Position Statement

Geneva, 14 August 2006

All children have the right to special protection and care in times of peace and in situations of armed conflict.

The International Executive Council of Defence for Children International (DCI) is deeply concerned about the sufferings of civilians, especially children, who are the most vulnerable members of the civilian population, as a result of the armed conflict between Israel and Lebanon which started on 12 July 2006, and Israel's continuing military invasion of the Gaza Strip since 29 June 2006.

DCI is particularly concerned about the number of deaths of children killed by missile attacks and artillery shelling, and the number and nature of injuries and other serious harm inflicted upon them as a result of the hostilities.

DCI fully endorsed the appeal for an immediate ceasefire called for by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and welcomes UN Security Council resolution 1701.  

As efforts are being made to implement the ceasefire, political solutions and security arrangements in Lebanon, DCI calls upon the international community not to forget to address the armed conflict and deepening social and economic crisis in Gaza, and the immediate protection of the civilian population, especially children.

DCI further calls upon all parties to the conflicts to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection and care of children affected by the hostilities, and to fully adhere to the relevant instruments of international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 38).