Res. No. 1612 Title Resolution condemning the use of children in acts of violence in the current conflict in the Middle East. Body By Council Members Fisher, Carrion, Clarke, Koslowitz, Michels, Moskowitz, Nelson and Stabile; also Council Members Eisland, Leffler, O'Donovan, Povman, Quinn and Rodriguez Whereas, The Council has previously expressed its concern regarding the eruption of violence in the Middle East; and Whereas, In the last five weeks, at least one third of the 120 Palestinians killed in the conflict in the Middle East have been under the age of 17 and some have been as young as 12; and Whereas, In an article that appeared in the October 3, 2000 issue of The New York Times, it was reported that 25,000 youngsters were trained in guerrilla tactics in 90 different Fatah camps earlier this year; and Whereas, According to the Consulate of Israel, the Palestinian Authority closes school at prearranged times to allow large numbers of Palestinian youth to attend demonstrations even if the strong potential for violence exists; and Whereas, According to the Consulate of Israel, Palestinian demonstrations are organized so that children throwing stones are standing in front of older Palestinians firing live ammunition at armed Israeli soldiers; and Whereas, When fire is returned the consequences are tragic and regrettable; and Whereas, Regardless of the sincerity of the emotions of the demonstrators, there is never cause to endanger the life of children; and Whereas, On August 25, 1999, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1261 (1999) condemning the use of children in armed conflict; and Whereas, On January 21, 2000, in Geneva, a United Nations Working Group, comprised of representatives from more than eighty governments, including the United States, reached a consensus on an optional protocol regarding the use of child soldiers; and Whereas, This protocol will raise the international minimum age for conscription and direct participation in armed conflict to age eighteen, and prohibit the recruitment and use in armed conflict of persons under the age of eighteen by non-governmental armed forces; and Whereas, On May 25, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the protocol regarding the use of child soldiers; and Whereas, The use of children as a tool of political policy should be viewed as reprehensible by all people who respect life; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York condemns the use of children in acts of violence in the current conflict in the Middle East. DB LS No. 3645 10/27/00 |10
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