Monitoring, reporting and addressing child rights and protection violations in 'non-listed' countries

Area of Science:

• Child protection
• Human rights
• International conflict studies

Background:

• Generations of children impacted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Children experience grave violations including killing, maiming, detention, and ill-treatment.
• The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005) monitoring and reporting mechanism (MRM) is relevant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the adaptation and effectiveness of the MRM for children in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).
• To identify challenges faced by agencies implementing the MRM in this context.
• To highlight successful strategies for monitoring and responding to child rights violations.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005) MRM by humanitarian and human rights agencies.
• Qualitative analysis of challenges and successes in monitoring and reporting violations against children.
• Case study approach focusing on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).

Main Results:

• The MRM has been adapted and utilized by agencies in Israel and the oPt.
• Agencies face common MRM challenges: limited recognition, insufficient resources, and difficult operational environments.
• Local adaptation of the MRM and close collaboration enhance effectiveness in addressing violations.

Conclusions:

• Despite significant challenges, adapted MRM frameworks are crucial for protecting children in conflict zones.
• Localizing the MRM to specific contexts, like Israel and the oPt, improves response efficacy.
• Collaboration among agencies is key to overcoming operational hurdles and ensuring child protection.