STATEMENT BY COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

3 August 2006


The following statement was issued today by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child:


"The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is extremely concerned at the killing of children and other civilians during the current conflict in the Middle East. Attacks by the conflicting parties are apparently carried out without consideration of the right of children and other civilians to be protected during armed conflict.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 192 States. This indicates a strong global commitment to respect and protect the rights of children, including the right to life, survival and development and the right to be protected from all forms of violence. Furthermore, under article 38 of the Convention, States Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts which are relevant to the child.

The Committee joins the call of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The Committee also calls on the United Nations to facilitate and support a non-violent and sustainable solution to the conflict and to provide the victims, in particular children, with the support necessary for a full physical and psychological recovery".