The 3 May report further emphasised that the MRM was able to maintain its high standards of monitoring and verification, notwithstanding the difficulties posed by the pandemic. While the UN country task forces on monitoring and reporting on grave violations against children (CTFMR) continued their work in that period, the restrictions resulted in a backlog of cases requiring verification. The monitoring and reporting mechanism (MRM) was particularly affected during the second and third quarter of 2020 because of movement restrictions, which have limited the UN’s ability to undertake fieldwork. According to a 3 May report by the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict titled “Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children in situations of armed conflict”, the pandemic severely affected the UN’s ability to monitor and verify grave violations against children and curtailed its efforts to engage with conflict parties to end and prevent such violations. In the past year, Council members continued to follow closely the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children and the UN’s ability to address them.
Other speakers are likely to include the Executive Director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, and a civil society briefer. A senior Secretariat official is expected to present the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict, which is due in June. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid is expected to chair the meeting, which will be held at ministerial level. In June, the Security Council is expected to hold an open debate on children and armed conflict. Children and Armed Conflict Expected Council Action
0 kommentar(er)
