Mr. Chairman,
Sweden aligns itself with the statement made by France on behalf of the European Union. Sweden fully supports the work of the Special Representative and her office and welcome the report and the opportunity to engage in this important dialogue.
The United Nations human rights system play a pivotal role in protecting the rights of children affected by conflict. This work should continue and we should also seek to enhance our efforts. Sweden believes that Children’s Rights should be mainstreamed into the work of the Human Rights Council both in terms of policy discussions but also as a follow-up mechanism to concluding observations and recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of Child and within the framework of the UPR-process. Sweden attach great interest to the efficient functioning of the Human Rights Council and is pleased to note that the Special Representative regards the Council as a “crucial destination for action”. It would be interesting if the Special Representative could develop, if possible by providing concrete examples, how the Council could be used as such a “destination for action” in an efficient way to promote the rights of the child and children in armed conflict.
Sweden continues to be concerned with the increased perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence against children and the urgent need to address the issue of impunity. We would like to ask the Special Representative how in her view the newly adopted Security Council resolution 1820 could contribute to the work of the UN and her office regarding sexual violence.