Today, to mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement: “Children continue to be robbed of their most basic rights because of their recruitment and use in armed conflicts. Instead of living their childhood, these children are trained to fight, and armed with deadly weapons. They are made victims of child labour, are sexually exploited or forced into marriage. As a result, many of these children are killed or suffer from severe and lasting physical and emotional trauma.
February 12, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
Today, to mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement:
“Children continue to be robbed of their most basic rights because of their recruitment and use in armed conflicts. Instead of living their childhood, these children are trained to fight, and armed with deadly weapons. They are made victims of child labour, are sexually exploited or forced into marriage. As a result, many of these children are killed or suffer from severe and lasting physical and emotional trauma.
“On this day, we reiterate Canada’s unwavering commitment to ending the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. Canada continues to support the UN Department of Peace Operations, which plays a crucial role in preventing violations of children’s rights, by providing $2.5 million in project funding for the integration of the Vancouver Principles in peacekeeping policy, guidance and training. We continue to promote the Vancouver Principles, launched in 2017, and call on more countries to join the 105 nations who have already endorsed them. Together, we are stronger. Together, thanks to the Vancouver Principles, we continue to equip peacekeepers with the training and tools they need to fight against this practice. To further these efforts, Canada has committed additional multi-year funding to support the international implementation of the Vancouver Principles.
“In 2019, the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security was established within the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) to enable implementation of the Vancouver Principles. In order to help put an end to this horrific practice, the Centre’s core mandate is to enhance the CAF’s capabilities, by providing strategic guidance and sponsoring doctrinal changes in support to peace and security-related training and education.
“All children deserve a safe and peaceful childhood regardless of where they live. Canada will always work with partners to put an end to violations of children’s rights.”