UN Security Council adopts resolution on digital technology harm to children in conflict
In short
The UN Security Council adopted, with 15 votes in favour, a resolution on children and armed conflict that addresses the use of digital technology to harm children. Greece drafted it, and China News Service said nearly 100 countries co-sponsored it. It urges states to meet their obligations under international law and to improve children's digital literacy.
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The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on children and armed conflict with 15 votes in favour, CLS and China News Service reported. China News Service said the vote took place on 19 October, local time, and described the resolution as aimed at guarding against digital technology being used to harm children in conflict. [ 1 , 3 ]
Greece drafted the text. China News Service said nearly 100 countries co-sponsored it. According to CLS, it urges member states to strengthen the way they meet their international law obligations at home, to stop and prevent harm to children, including harm carried out, facilitated or worsened through digital technology. [ 1 , 3 ]
China News Service said the resolution warns that parties to armed conflict are using digital technology to recruit and use children and to commit abductions, sexual violence and other abuses. It urges states to push digital platforms to take measures to reduce these risks and to protect children's privacy and personal data. The resolution notes that girls face higher risk of violence enabled or worsened by digital technology. [ 3 ]
It also calls on states to strengthen child protection systems, with safe reporting channels and response mechanisms suited to children, so that abuses are identified quickly and victims receive services and support, China News Service said. [ 3 ]
The resolution adds that digital technology can also help protect children affected by conflict. China News Service said it can support education, widen children's means of speaking out and reduce violence caused by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. States are asked to strengthen remote learning facilities, digital literacy education and related infrastructure. CLS also reported that the text stresses raising children's digital literacy so they can recognise risks. [ 1 , 3 ]
CLS listed the six grave violations against children in armed conflict identified by the Council: recruiting and using children; killing and maiming; rape and other forms of sexual violence; attacks on schools and hospitals; abduction; and denial of humanitarian access to children. China News Service said the resolution reiterates that all violations and abuses against children in armed conflict must be met with accountability, and asks states to strengthen their capacity to investigate and prosecute cases and hold those responsible to account under the law. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The resolution was adopted unanimously, with 15 votes in favour. According to China News Service, it asks states to push digital platforms to reduce risks and to strengthen investigation and prosecution of abuses.
Key facts
- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on children and armed conflict with 15 votes in favour, unanimously. [ 1 , 3 ]
- China News Service gave the date of the vote as 19 October, local time. [ 3 ]
- Greece drafted the resolution, and China News Service said nearly 100 countries co-sponsored it. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The resolution calls for guarding against the use of digital technology to carry out, facilitate or worsen harm to children. [ 1 ]
- It stresses raising children's digital literacy so they can recognise risks. [ 1 , 3 ]
- China News Service said the resolution notes that girls face higher risk of violence enabled or worsened by digital technology. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Time of the vote China News Service gives the date as 19 October local time; none of the documents gives the hour.
- Number of co-sponsors Only China News Service gives a figure (nearly 100 countries), and it gives no exact number.