Role play on access to children in armed conflicts

Session 7: Handout 7.7

Government role

In the Eastern part of your country a rebel movement called the PAFF has taken over a large part of the territory, and has seized the second city of the country. The commander for the rebels has declared that he will take over the whole country. He is gaining territory by the day, and the threat is becoming real. The conflict has been going on for a couple of years, but has intensified recently. The government troops have had many casualties in the recent fighting.

You represent the government in negotiating with the aid community the matter of access to this area. For the past two weeks, the government has imposed a ban on aid to the area where the rebels are located. As a result the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the civilian population there.

Although you are aware that this causes problems on the international arena, and that you even before had problems with the donor community, the help of which your country is highly dependent upon, you are convinced that the ban must be kept in place for military and political reasons.

You are aware that the government has ratified the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The government has also ratified the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols. You are much aware that the human rights criticisms aimed at the government will have a negative impact on aid flowing into the country.

What arguments do you present to the aid community and the donors? Keep in mind in particular arguments from the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As a matter of law, how can you argue that you are fulfilling the rights provided for in the Convention? What are your concerns with regard to the rebels and the area that they are located in? According to the government, what international law would be applicable in an internal conflict of this type?