Protecting Vulnerable Groups in Armed Conflict and Migration. In a critical international conference held in Doha, the focus was placed on the protection of children, women, and other vulnerable groups amidst the chaos of armed conflicts and migration crises.
The conference, titled ‘Protecting Children and Other Vulnerable Groups in Times of War and Migration’, was organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in collaboration with the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI). Experts and delegates from various parts of the world gathered to address the growing concerns over the exploitation and suffering of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
The Importance of Protecting Vulnerable Groups
During the opening ceremony, EOI President Prof. Dragan Milkov highlighted the extreme vulnerability of children, noting that childhood is one of the most sensitive and dependent phases of human life. “Children are highly dependent on others to satisfy their basic needs, making them particularly vulnerable,” said Milkov.
He emphasized that this is not just limited to children but extends to other vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, who often find themselves unable to care for their basic needs. The plight of children in conflict zones is particularly alarming.
War and migration place children in unprotected environments where they become direct victims of violence, exploitation, and neglect. Prof. Milkov pointed out how conflicts intensify the vulnerability of children, who often lack access to the protection and resources necessary for survival.
Qatar’s Commitment to Human Rights
The Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee, Sultan Hassan Al Jamali, reiterated Qatar’s commitment to safeguarding children and other vulnerable groups. He stated, “The protection of children and other vulnerable groups is a top priority for the national human rights efforts of the State of Qatar.”
In line with this commitment, Qatar has been actively involved in awareness campaigns, monitoring human rights violations, providing expert advice to stakeholders, and establishing strong partnerships with both regional and international organizations.
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Al Jamali emphasized that the conference provided a crucial platform for exchanging experiences, sharing best practices, and addressing the challenges that lead to increased discrimination, violence, and exploitation, especially for children, women, and the elderly in conflict zones.
The Humanitarian Crisis for Children in Conflict Zones
In a keynote address, Dawoud Almassri, the Head of the Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha, representing the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, underscored the devastating impact of crises on children.
“Children are among the most vulnerable in any crisis—they are voiceless in decisions that affect their futures, yet they bear the heaviest burdens of conflict, war, displacement, and instability,” Almassri explained. Almassri painted a grim picture of the current global crisis, noting that millions of children have been pushed into extreme vulnerability due to ongoing armed conflicts, natural disasters, and mass displacements.
These children face life-threatening dangers, not just in terms of physical harm but also to their future development and well-being. He referenced the Secretary-General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict, which documented nearly 33,000 grave violations against children in 2023 alone. Almassri warned that this number likely represents only a fraction of the actual incidents, signaling the need for urgent action.
Recommendations for Protecting Vulnerable Populations
At the conclusion of the conference, participants issued a set of critical recommendations aimed at enhancing protection for children and other vulnerable groups. One of the key points highlighted was the need to support peaceful solutions to current international crises, with an emphasis on preventing the targeting of vulnerable populations in armed conflict zones.
The conference stressed the importance of protecting vital infrastructure that provides essential services, as these are often destroyed during conflicts, further jeopardizing the survival of affected populations.
The communique released at the end of the conference called for:
- Ending impunity for crimes committed in violation of international laws related to human rights and humanitarian law.
- Strengthening national human rights institutions to promote compliance with international standards for the protection of vulnerable groups.
- Effective enforcement of international treaties on the rights of children and other vulnerable populations, alongside the implementation of recommendations from relevant regional and international bodies.
- Intensification of efforts to develop a binding international agreement on the rights of older persons, ensuring their protection during crises.
Legislative and Policy Recommendations
One of the most significant recommendations made by the participants was the need to upgrade national legislation to align with the requirements of international treaties. The call for enacting comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and migrants was emphasized as a necessary step toward safeguarding these groups from violence, discrimination, and exploitation.
The participants also stressed the need to develop robust response programs during emergencies. These programs should focus on preventing violence, exploitation, and human trafficking while providing essential services such as hotlines for complaints, support shelters, and legal assistance for those affected.
Ensuring Safe Corridors and Humanitarian Relief
In conflict zones, ensuring the protection of vulnerable groups requires more than just legislative measures. The participants advocated for the establishment of safe corridors to allow children, women, and other vulnerable groups to evacuate conflict areas and receive humanitarian aid. This includes providing relief services that address their immediate needs for safety, food, water, and medical care.
Moreover, the conference highlighted the simultaneous application of both international humanitarian law and human rights law during armed conflicts, which is essential to protecting vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
The Doha conference has reaffirmed the urgent need to protect children, women, and other vulnerable groups caught in the devastating web of war and migration. By emphasizing legislative reforms, enforcing international treaties, and creating mechanisms to ensure safety and access to relief, the participants have set a clear roadmap for addressing the pressing challenges faced by these groups.
The international community, including national governments and human rights organizations, must work together to implement these recommendations and provide the protection and support that vulnerable populations so desperately need.
By adopting these measures, we can begin to alleviate the suffering of those most at risk and ensure a safer, more secure future for vulnerable groups affected by armed conflict and migration crises.