The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, in the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
“Millions of children are affected by conflicts around the world and suffer violations and abuses of their human rights”, Amb. Grassi stated, highlighting that attacks on educational facilities, denial of humanitarian access, abductions and forced recruitment deprive children of their right to childhood, impact their dignity and reduce the availability of safe, child-friendly spaces.
He then expressed Italy’s concern about the situation of young women and girls in conflict areas, who are exposed to heightened risks of discrimination based on harmful gender norms and stereotypes, and advocated for the implementation of special measures to ensure that all girls have continued and safe access to education. The importance of an effective reintegration of children recruited by armed groups was also stressed.
Therefore, Amb. Grassi urged States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the protection of children in armed conflict, to endorse the “Safe Schools Declaration” and to criminalize child recruitment and use.
He finally reaffirmed Italy’s support to the efforts of the Special Representative, the OHCHR and UNICEF to build global partnerships aimed at addressing and preventing any violation and abuse of child rights, and investing in their future.
Read the full statement.
