The Permanent Delegation of Qatar and other States to the UN organised a high-level session to launch a roadmap for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to address the issue of children’s recruitment and exploitation by terrorist and violent extremism groups.
The session was held at the initiative of Qatar’s Delegation to the UN, along with the permanent delegations of Japan, Belgium, Nigeria and Canada as well as UNODC.
Held under the theme ‘Protecting our Future: Priority for All’ at UN headquarters in New York, the session focused on strengthening prevention and developing strategies to protect and respect the full rights of children as victims of terrorism and violent extremism, regardless of their alleged involvement in the commission of crimes.
In a statement, Permanent Representative Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani said discussions during the session were a continuation of the discussions that had begun in 2015 during a meeting between UNODC and Columbia University to exchange ideas on the prevention and rehabilitation of children and young people affected by violent extremism and their integration into their societies.
She said Qatar plays a key role in promoting education for justice and the culture of the rule of law, referring to Doha hosting the conference on criminal justice in 2015. She highlighted Qatar’s support for UNODC in the implementation of the Doha Declaration.
Sheikha Alya pointed out the Doha Declaration focused on the role of education that targets children and young people as an important element to enable them to play an active role in protecting them by recognising and defending their rights. This is necessary to create a framework to protect the children’s environment, she said.
She noted Qatar’s role as an advocate and strong supporter not only of UNODC but also of many UN agencies, programmes and initiatives focusing on children and young people, referring to the agreement signed by Qatar in September with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to establish and fund a centre for children and armed conflict in Doha.
She noted that the centre will promote knowledge and develop skills related to the protection of young victims of armed conflict in the region, in addition to serving as a documentation centre.