Impact on children of illicit trafficking of small arms, landmines and unexploded ordnance

It is increasingly recognized that the availability of small arms and light weapons exacerbates the impact of conflict on children. In his thematic Report on small arms to the Security Council (S/2008/258), the Secretary-General noted that the vast majority of direct conflict deaths were attributable to the use of small arms and that civilian populations - increasingly also children - bore the brunt of armed conflict more than ever.

Evidence points to the fact that the widespread of small arms and light weapons fuels and exacerbates conflict, undermines peace processes, impedes peacebuilding and hinders the provision of humanitarian assistance. Compelling evidence exists of the direct correlation between the increased use of children in conflict and the ready availability of small arms, which are easy even for the youngest children to manipulate and master. The proliferation of small arms helps to sustain cultures of violence in fragile post-conflict societies, impacting the durability of peace and the long-term sustainability of development. Cluster munitions and landmines also have a devastating impact on civilians, especially children.

Governments must ensure stricter control over the use of conventional arms and work towards concluding an arms trade treaty that establishes effective, accountable and transparent systems for all international weapons transfers. This will help to ensure that arms and ammunition are not transferred to countries where children are known to be, or may potentially be, recruited or used in hostilities. The Machel study and review report focus attention on the impact of small arms and light weapons, landmines and unexploded ordnance, and stress the obligation of States to protect children in this regard. A more robust protection framework is required that includes stronger legislation and programmatic response to address the causes of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and its effects on children.

In the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA), adopted in 2001, Member States expressed their grave concern about the devastating consequences of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons on children, many of whom are victims of armed conflict or are forced to become child soldiers. The measures envisaged in the PoA cover action at the national, regional and global levels which, if effectively implemented, can help minimize the adverse impact of illicit SALW on children.

According to the United Nations Mine Action Service, approximately half of the around 4000 causalities from mines and unexploded ordnance in 2009 in 64 countries are children. In some countries, child causalities, particularly due to explosive remnants of war (ERW) are on the rise again after several years of decreases, for example in Afghanistan. In Chad, children made up 95% of all causalities in 2009. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the number of child causalities was the highest since 2004. The vast majority of child causalities were boys (80%).

Landmines and unexploded ordnances impede post-conflict development and reconstruction, blocking access to land and other resources and posing risks to returnee and internally displaced children. Mine risk education and securing stockpiled munitions remain the most effective short-term solution to keeping children safe and the adoption in May 2008 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions represents an important advance.

In his report on small arms, the Secretary-General recommends that the Peacebuilding Commission, the Office for Disarmament Affairs and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict increase cooperation in addressing the full spectrum of impacts of small arms and light weapons on children.