New York, Jun 3 2011 10:10AM
A senior United Nations envoy today voiced her deep concern at the ongoing violence perpetrated against children amid the ongoing unrest in Syria and urged the Government to ensure the protection of all children.
"Violence against children must stop and children's safety must be upheld at all times," <"http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/sites/default/files/documents/SRSG_statements/Statement%20of%20the%20Special%20Representative%20of%20the%20Secretary%20General%20on%20Violence%20against%20Children%20calling%20upon%20Syria%20to%20protect%20children%20from%20violence.pdf">said Marta Santos Pais, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against Children.
"Children need to be protected from unlawful arrest, torture and ill-treatment, and their lives should not be put at risk under any circumstance," she stressed.
Several hundred people, including women and children, have been killed in Syria during recent anti-Government protests that are part of a broader uprising this year across North Africa and the Middle East, according to media reports.
Earlier this week, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said it had received, but could not independently confirm, information that the use of live ammunition against demonstrators has reportedly left at least 30 children dead.
Ms. Santos Pais called on the Syrian Government to ensure the protection of all children from violence, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
"Children's right to medical care and to social and protection services must be guaranteed. Child victims and witnesses of violence must be supported in their process of healing, recovery and reintegration," she stated.
The Special Representative also called for a thorough and impartial investigation of all reported child deaths and incidents of violence against children, including alleged cases of unlawful arrest in demonstrations, and torture in detention.
Jun 3 2011 10:10AM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/
No comments:
Post a Comment