A/HRC/28/54
out to regional organizations to mobilize support with regard to expertise, advocacy and
capacity-building.
18.
The momentum generated by the “Children, Not Soldiers” campaign is encouraging.
The Special Representative continues to reach out to Member States and all relevant
partners to mobilize political, technical and financial support to fully implement the action
plans and reach the objective of no children in government forces in conflict by 2016.
B.
Progress with non-State armed groups
19.
Despite the ongoing challenges in respect of access to and dialogue with non-State
armed groups to end grave violations against children, the number of public statements and
command orders issued by armed groups prohibiting the recruitment and use of children
has increased. That trend was observed in a number of situations and provided a basis for
building momentum to address grave violations against children by armed groups.
20.
Fifty-one armed groups are included in the lists annexed to the report of the
Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (A/68/878-S/2014/339). Those groups are
very diverse in nature, which requires different strategies of engagement, and the
implementation of child protection commitments may vary considerably. Advocacy
strategies require the identification of specific incentives based on the military structure,
size, modus operandi and other characteristics of armed groups. Taking those aspects into
account, concrete commitments are then identified by the United Nations and translated
into activities and measures with the armed group concerned, culminating in an agreed
action plan.
21.
A multi-dimensional approach is also required to engage non-State armed groups to
advocate for compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law by all
parties to a conflict. In that spirit, the Special Representative continued to engage with
mediators, special envoys and regional organizations to integrate the protection of children
into peace-making initiatives on a case-by-case basis. During the reporting period, the
Special Representative maintained dialogue with the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes
Region, the former Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of
Arab States for Syria, the Deputy Mediator of the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) for South Sudan, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on
Yemen and representatives of the Gulf Initiative. She also engaged regularly with mediators
involved in peace efforts, including representatives of third-party governments, the African
Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, IGAD and the United Nations.
22.
That approach has assisted in the effort to gain commitments and positive
developments from a number of non-State actors on the recruitment and use of children and
the prevention of other grave violations throughout the reporting period. In the Philippines,
during the course of 2014, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front renewed its commitment to its
Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children, which was signed in
August 2009.
23.
In the Central African Republic, the United Nations successfully advocated with
both the ex-Séléka and the anti-Balaka groups. The ex-Séléka leadership committed to take
measures against the recruitment and use of children and disseminated command orders
among its ranks with the support of the United Nations, which resulted in the release and
separation of over 70 children. Dialogue continued with field commanders of anti-Balaka
units, resulting in the separation of children in several instances. Discussions were also held
with United Nations and African Union partners to ensure that commitments to end the
recruitment and use of children and other grave violations against children would be
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