| answer text |
<p>The UK is an active permanent member of the United Nations Security Council Working
Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which leads the international response
to violations committed against children in conflict. These violations include: the
recruitment and use of children, sexual violence against children, killing and maiming
of children, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian
access to children in conflict.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated
its guidance on Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) in 2017 by written
ministerial statement. Since then, information on its implementation has been included
in the FCO's Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report. The OSJA guidance applies to
issues of international humanitarian law as well as human rights risks. As part of
implementation of the OSJA guidance, Her Majesty's Government missions pool expertise
from a range of sources including civil society partners and international organisations,
according to the situation in the country concerned. This includes relevant UN sources
of expertise.</p><p>The UN CAAC Working Group focuses on responding to the UN Secretary-General's
annual report on CAAC which lists governments and armed groups for committing grave
violations against children. As a member of the group, the UK applies diplomatic pressure
to listed parties to enter into concrete UN action plans to verify and release any
children associated with armed groups and forces, to prevent re-recruitment and ensure
the provision of appropriate reintegration and rehabilitation assistance. We ensure
that the technical assistance we provide is in line with international standards,
and fully complies with our human rights obligations.</p>
|
|
