Ban Ki-moon, de secretaris-generaal van de Verenigde Naties, wil dat er grotere inspanningen worden geleverd om ernstige schendingen van de rechten van het kind in Afghanistan te beëindigen.
Er moet een eind komen aan onder meer het inzetten van kindsoldaten, seksueel geweld tegen kinderen en het doden en verminken van kinderen. Ook mogen grove schendingen van internationale kinderrechten niet onbestraft blijven.
Het verslag van de VN over het rapport van Ban Ki-moon:
BAN CALLS FOR GREATER EFFORTS TO TACKLE CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
Greater efforts are needed to end grave violations against children in Afghanistan, including their use as child soldiers, sexual violence, killing and maiming, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report to the Security Council.
In his report on children and armed conflict in Afghanistan, covering the period from 1 September 2008 to 30 August 2010, Mr. Ban acknowledges that progress has been made since his last report, especially in terms of dialogue with the Government on the protection of children.
Last month the UN and the Afghan Government signed an agreement in which the country made a commitment to protect children affected by armed conflict and to prevent the recruitment of minors into the national armed forces.
“I urge the Government to ensure that adequate resources are allocated for effective implementation of the Action Plan, including introducing legislation aimed at criminalizing the recruitment of children in armed conflict and ensuring that no impunity is granted for grave violations against children under international law,” Mr. Ban writes.
But, according to information collected through the Country Task Force for Monitoring and Reporting, grave violations against children have increased during the reporting period, says the report.
“The recruitment and use of children by parties to the conflict was observed throughout the country during the two-year reporting period,” it states. While many cases reported by the media and other sources could not be confirmed owing to access and security considerations, the Country Task Force verified 26 out of 47 reported incidents that provide evidence that children were recruited by armed groups as well as by Afghan National Security Forces, including the Afghan National Police.
In addition, cases of children who carried out suicide attacks or who were used to plant explosives, at times unknowingly, were reported. These incidents often led to the deaths of the children involved, notes the report.
Children continued to be detained in international military forces detention facilities in contravention of international law, according to the report, which adds that there is concern that such detainees are not treated in line with international standards for juvenile justice.
During the reporting period, 1,795 children were injured or killed because of conflict-related violence although the figures are assumed to be underreported as access to conflict-affected areas remained difficult. Children continued to be casualties of suicide attacks, improvised explosive devices and rocket attacks by armed groups, including the Taliban.
They have also been victims of air strikes and night searches by pro-government forces. In addition, 568 children were injured or killed as a result of landmines and other explosive remnants of war during the reporting period.
Sexual violence, including that against children, is “pervasive” and continues to be vastly underreported and concealed in Afghan society, the Secretary-General points out.
“The general climate of impunity, a vacuum in the rule of law, lack of faith in investigating and prosecuting authorities, and misplaced shame have adversely affected the reporting of sexual violence and abuse against children to law enforcement authorities and subsequent prosecution of perpetrators,” he writes.
“Child sexual abuse, against both girls and boys, is not clearly defined as a crime in Afghan law, and perpetrators of such violations are rarely held accountable.”
Mr. Ban strongly encourages the Government to work closely with the Country Task Force to strengthen reporting under Security Council resolution 1882 (2009) on sexual violence against children and killing and maiming of children, and to ensure an appropriate and swift programme and accountability response for victims of such violations.
(New York, Feb 14, 2011)
Zie ook:
Meer inspanningen nodig voor rechten van het kind in Afghanistan
Politie Afghanistan misbruikt en rekruteert kinderen
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zaterdag 26 februari 2011
vrijdag 24 oktober 2008
Top UN envoy deplores recent attacks against Afghan civilians
The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has condemned recent attacks against civilians in the violence-wracked nation, including a suicide bombing on Monday that killed five children in Kunduz, the murder of a number of passengers on a bus in Kandahar and the killing of a foreign aid worker in the capital, Kabul.
“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
Zie ook
Kai Eide veroordeelt recente aanvallen tegen burgers Afghanistan
“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
Zie ook
Kai Eide veroordeelt recente aanvallen tegen burgers Afghanistan
dinsdag 14 oktober 2008
UN assisting Afghan authorities to respond to diarrhoea outbreak
United Nations agencies are helping authorities to respond to a diarrhoea outbreak in Afghanistan, where only about a quarter of the population has access to safe drinking water and 20 per cent of child deaths is attributed to the easily preventable disease.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, the outbreak is located mainly in five provinces – Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan and Faryab – with a few cases also reported in seven others. Twenty-two people have died out of the almost 4,000 cases reported so far.
The UN World Health Organization WHO says the authorities are managing the outbreak well and have taken all necessary steps. The situation seems to be largely under control, the agency added. Nevertheless, it is urging anyone who becomes ill to go to a clinic immediately.
“Those who have gone to the clinic have received life-saving treatment that they need. It is very important to go to the clinic in time and not delay,” Rana Grabar Kakar, WHO Technical Officer, told a news conference in Kabul today.
In light of the current outbreak, Dr. Kakar emphasized the need to ensure the use of safe drinking water by either boiling it or using chlorine tablets. People should also be careful about the foods that might become contaminated by bad water. She stressed the need to peel raw fruits and vegetables or cook them thoroughly before eating.
“We hope everyone will take responsibility to use clean drinking water for themselves and their families and wash hands thoroughly before eating. By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent this disease,” she said.
By washing hands with soap, families and communities can help reduce child mortality rates from diarrhoeal diseases by almost 50 per cent. This is one of the key messages being highlighted across the country as part of the observance of the first ever Global Handwashing Day, which is 15 October.
The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF is also assisting efforts to tackle the outbreak by digging wells, providing safe drinking water and distributing basic health kits, particularly in remote areas.
The struggle for water is one of the themes depicted in a series of photographs by Afghan women currently on display in New York. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that “right now we need a major humanitarian push to ensure that immediate assistance reaches all Afghans who need it.
At the same time, we have to work for long-term development. And above all, we must secure lasting peace in Afghanistan,” he stated.
In a related development, the Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme UNDP today wrapped up a three-day visit to Afghanistan, where he discussed strengthening support for the country’s development efforts and its capacity to deliver services to its people.
In his meetings with Afghan officials, Ajay Chhibber discussed a range of areas of joint cooperation, including voter registration, community empowerment, economic growth, rural development and girls’ education.
(Bron: VN; 13 oktober 2008)
According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, the outbreak is located mainly in five provinces – Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan and Faryab – with a few cases also reported in seven others. Twenty-two people have died out of the almost 4,000 cases reported so far.
The UN World Health Organization WHO says the authorities are managing the outbreak well and have taken all necessary steps. The situation seems to be largely under control, the agency added. Nevertheless, it is urging anyone who becomes ill to go to a clinic immediately.
“Those who have gone to the clinic have received life-saving treatment that they need. It is very important to go to the clinic in time and not delay,” Rana Grabar Kakar, WHO Technical Officer, told a news conference in Kabul today.
In light of the current outbreak, Dr. Kakar emphasized the need to ensure the use of safe drinking water by either boiling it or using chlorine tablets. People should also be careful about the foods that might become contaminated by bad water. She stressed the need to peel raw fruits and vegetables or cook them thoroughly before eating.
“We hope everyone will take responsibility to use clean drinking water for themselves and their families and wash hands thoroughly before eating. By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent this disease,” she said.
By washing hands with soap, families and communities can help reduce child mortality rates from diarrhoeal diseases by almost 50 per cent. This is one of the key messages being highlighted across the country as part of the observance of the first ever Global Handwashing Day, which is 15 October.
The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF is also assisting efforts to tackle the outbreak by digging wells, providing safe drinking water and distributing basic health kits, particularly in remote areas.
The struggle for water is one of the themes depicted in a series of photographs by Afghan women currently on display in New York. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that “right now we need a major humanitarian push to ensure that immediate assistance reaches all Afghans who need it.
At the same time, we have to work for long-term development. And above all, we must secure lasting peace in Afghanistan,” he stated.
In a related development, the Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme UNDP today wrapped up a three-day visit to Afghanistan, where he discussed strengthening support for the country’s development efforts and its capacity to deliver services to its people.
In his meetings with Afghan officials, Ajay Chhibber discussed a range of areas of joint cooperation, including voter registration, community empowerment, economic growth, rural development and girls’ education.
(Bron: VN; 13 oktober 2008)
dinsdag 30 september 2008
Security situation in Afghanistan ‘markedly’ worse reports secretary-general
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a change of pace and direction in Afghanistan, where the worsening security situation is hampering the efforts of the Government, the United Nations and international partners to rebuild the strife-torn nation.
"Despite the enhanced capabilities of both the Afghan National Army and the international forces, the security situation has deteriorated markedly," Mr. Ban writes in a new report released today.
The number of security incidents in August rose to 983, the highest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and a 44 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2007.
Mr. Ban highlights three trends amid the recent deterioration in security, namely a greater focus by insurgent groups on areas that had been stable until now, more "sophisticated" planning of insurgent operations, and an increase in civilian casualties.
"Civilians are also being killed as a result of military operations carried out by Afghan and international security forces," he adds.
The deterioration of the security situation has hampered the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in carrying out its efforts, with 90 of the country's nearly 400 districts identified as areas of extreme risk. In addition, attacks on aid-related targets and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become more frequent and more deadly.
This is particularly disturbing given the worsening humanitarian situation in the country owing to a combination of conflict, drought and high food prices, which have left one-sixth of the population in need of food aid.
Mr. Ban says he is convinced that "a change of pace and direction is required," in which, among other things, every party to the Paris Conference that took place earlier this year must do its utmost to implement the commitments made there as early as possible.
"It is essential that the people of Afghanistan begin to see quickly and clearly that we have embarked on a new course and that it will produce results," he states.
The International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held on 12 June, saw fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"Ultimately, success will depend on our ability to bring about a 'political surge' that musters the political determination to address those areas in which international and Afghan efforts have been insufficient, and to accelerate progress where gains have been made," the Secretary-General writes.
He adds that the Paris conference, which saw not only the launch of the ANDS but also $21.4 billion in pledges for the country's development, is among the positive developments in recent months, in addition to the increase in poppy-free provinces from 13 to 18, as reported in a recent survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In a related development, UNAMA reported today that 190,000 children - most of them in the volatile southern districts of Helmand and Kandahar - could not be reached during a recent polio immunization drive because of obstruction or fighting.
"We continue to appeal to the community to support full and safe access for health workers and help the goal of ridding Afghanistan of polio for good," Spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Kabul.
The UN and Afghan health authorities are planning to proceed with a further round of polio immunizations nationwide between 19 and 21 October.
(Source: UN, September 29, 2008)
"Despite the enhanced capabilities of both the Afghan National Army and the international forces, the security situation has deteriorated markedly," Mr. Ban writes in a new report released today.
The number of security incidents in August rose to 983, the highest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and a 44 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2007.
Mr. Ban highlights three trends amid the recent deterioration in security, namely a greater focus by insurgent groups on areas that had been stable until now, more "sophisticated" planning of insurgent operations, and an increase in civilian casualties.
"Civilians are also being killed as a result of military operations carried out by Afghan and international security forces," he adds.
The deterioration of the security situation has hampered the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in carrying out its efforts, with 90 of the country's nearly 400 districts identified as areas of extreme risk. In addition, attacks on aid-related targets and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become more frequent and more deadly.
This is particularly disturbing given the worsening humanitarian situation in the country owing to a combination of conflict, drought and high food prices, which have left one-sixth of the population in need of food aid.
Mr. Ban says he is convinced that "a change of pace and direction is required," in which, among other things, every party to the Paris Conference that took place earlier this year must do its utmost to implement the commitments made there as early as possible.
"It is essential that the people of Afghanistan begin to see quickly and clearly that we have embarked on a new course and that it will produce results," he states.
The International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held on 12 June, saw fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"Ultimately, success will depend on our ability to bring about a 'political surge' that musters the political determination to address those areas in which international and Afghan efforts have been insufficient, and to accelerate progress where gains have been made," the Secretary-General writes.
He adds that the Paris conference, which saw not only the launch of the ANDS but also $21.4 billion in pledges for the country's development, is among the positive developments in recent months, in addition to the increase in poppy-free provinces from 13 to 18, as reported in a recent survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In a related development, UNAMA reported today that 190,000 children - most of them in the volatile southern districts of Helmand and Kandahar - could not be reached during a recent polio immunization drive because of obstruction or fighting.
"We continue to appeal to the community to support full and safe access for health workers and help the goal of ridding Afghanistan of polio for good," Spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Kabul.
The UN and Afghan health authorities are planning to proceed with a further round of polio immunizations nationwide between 19 and 21 October.
(Source: UN, September 29, 2008)
maandag 22 september 2008
Ban deplores ‘heinous’ terrorist attack in Pakistani capital
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned today's "heinous" terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, which has reportedly killed and injured a large number of people.
"He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the Government and people of Pakistan," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.
Media reports say the bombing killed at least 40 people and wounded some 200.
"No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians," today's statement added.
(Source: UN, Sep 20 2008)
Zie ook
Zeker 53 doden bij aanslag op Marriott Hotel in Islamabad
"He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the Government and people of Pakistan," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.
Media reports say the bombing killed at least 40 people and wounded some 200.
"No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians," today's statement added.
(Source: UN, Sep 20 2008)
Zie ook
Zeker 53 doden bij aanslag op Marriott Hotel in Islamabad
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