Heidi Begovatz
Fort Atkinson High School, WI
Model UN 2014
3.2 Protections for Children in Conflict Zones
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure
suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the
oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the
tormented,” Elie Wiesel once said. During times of conflict the victims are often
considered to be the people fighting on the front lines, but often the smallest
victims, the children, are often forgotten about. The country of Finland plans to
continue sends support in monetary and physical form to places and groups in need
when protecting children.
In the case of a child/ren being force to partake as an enemy combatant, all
guilty parties involved, no matter the whereabouts should be held in a form of
imprisonment for the duration of their life. In most situations these children are
being placed under duress, and often commit these atrocities against their own will.
Within the army of child soldiers under the command of Joseph Kony, these
children are forced to commit these heinous crimes or they would be killed. Once
rescued these children should receive the psychological and physical help they
need and deserve. Children in conflict zones should be rescued and the guilty
parties incarcerated.
While the need to interfere to stop civilian casualties in battles that occur in
a homeland situation during a government revolt. The UNSC needs to find a way
to save these people so that the wars or conflict can continue with little to no
casualties with children and women. If the UNSC had the chance to safely
evacuate these people to a neighboring country or declare a safe zone within the
country and declare this UN territory. Inside they could fly in food and create a
safe haven for these children and women. In these scenarios the UN needs to
create a place for civilians to be safe.
The children need to be taken away from these devastating areas and taken
to a safe place. Whether that be inside the country or flown out of the country to a
neighboring area. While the safety of children cannot be guaranteed in areas of
war, measures can be taken to prevent atrocities from occurring.
In the concerns for the protections for children in conflict zones there is a
Heidi Begovatz
Fort Atkinson High School, WI
Model UN 2014
3.2 Protections for Children in Conflict Zones
long list of possibilities that can solve the crisis’s that occur, depending on the
situations.