22 March 2006 CRIN Children and Armed Conflict 95
___________________________________________________________
- FORGOTTEN CONFLICTS: Democratic Republic of Congo [news]
- INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: DRC Rebel on Charges for Use of Children in Armed Conflict [news]
- REFUGEES: Fuel Alternatives & Protection Strategies for Women and Girls [report]
- UN: Small Arms Report of the Secretary-General [report]
- IRAQ: Increased Protection for Children Following Attacks [news]
- PEACEBUILDING: Youth Radio for Peacebuilding – A Guide [resource]
- PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT: Summer Peacebuilding Programme [training]
___________________________________________________________
Your submissions are welcome if you are working in the area of children and conflict. To contribute, email us at [email protected].
Adobe Acrobat is required for viewing some of the documents, and if required can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
___________________________________________________________
FORGOTTEN CONFLICTS: Democratic Republic of Congo [news]
More than a thousand people a day die in Congo – a vast country the size of western Europe – as a result of ongoing violence, despite the official end in 2003 of a five-year war that involved seven countries and at least a dozen rebel groups.
A transitional government – involving various factions that fought each other in the war – and the political opposition, are charged with unifying the country’s army and holding elections by the end of June 2006.
But insecurity in the remote, resource-rich provinces near the eastern border threatens to derail the process, and some 3.9 million people have died from war-related hunger and disease since 1998, according to aid agency International Rescue Committee.
A U.N. force of 17,000 soldiers and police - the world’s largest peacekeeping mission - struggles to prevent violence and protect the population of almost 60 million.
The presence of armed rebels from neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda adds to the confusion and violence, and creates serious tension between Congo and its neighbours, which have intervened in the past and often threaten to send troops back across the border.
Congo was voted the world’s most neglected humanitarian hotspot in an AlertNet Poll of Forgotten Crises last year and featured in the Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2005 selected by medical aid agency Médecins Sans Frontières.
Source: AlertNet/Reuters
More information
Statistics on children in the DRC, UNICEF
Reports by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
The Invention of Child Witches in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Save the Children UK
Running for their Lives: Repeated Civilian Displacement in Central Katanga, DRC, Médecins sans Frontieres
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: DRC Rebel on Charges for Use of Children in Armed Conflict [news]
The leader of a Democratic Republic of Congo militia has become the first war crimes suspect to face charges at the International Criminal Court. Thomas Lubanga was transferred to ICC custody on Friday from DR Congo. He appeared before the court, based in the Dutch city of The Hague, to face three charges relating to the use of children in armed groups. The charges include enlisting children under the age of 15 into armed groups, conscripting children under the age of 15 into armed groups, and using children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities.
The ICC was set up in 2002 as a permanent court to deal with war crimes and genocide around the world.
"For 100 years an international court was a dream, now it's becoming a reality," said chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
Mr Lubanga appeared on Monday before judges in a hearing that mainly dealt with administrative issues. Further charges are being prepared and are expected to be confirmed at the court's next session in June.
Mr Lubanga was arrested a year ago after nine Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers were killed in the volatile Ituri area. His ethnic Hema Union of Congolese Patriots has been battling rivals from the Lendu ethnic group, partly for control of Ituri's large deposits of gold. Several teams of ICC investigators have been sent in recent months to Ituri, where more than 50,000 people have died since the inter-ethnic war began in 1999.
Soldiers under his command are accused not just of murder, torture and rape, but also of mutilating their victims, says the BBC's correspondent. In one massacre, human rights groups say, Mr Lubanga's militiamen killed civilians using a sledgehammer.
At different times, the UPC was backed by both Uganda and Rwanda - DR Congo's neighbours, which were closely involved in its conflict.
Rape and killings still continue in the east and for now the charges against Mr Lubanga are an exception, and impunity still the norm, he says.
The ICC has also issued its first arrest warrants for the leaders of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army but they remain at large. It is also investigating alleged war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region.
The existence of the court is strongly opposed by the United States, which fears its troops could face political prosecutions.
Visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4824772.stm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REFUGEES: Fuel Alternatives & Protection Strategies for Women and Girls [report]
Beyond Firewoord: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Refugee Women and Girls, a report launched by The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, explores ways to mitigate widespread violence against displaced women and girls as they collect firewood.
Despite the known dangers, many women and girls must collect wood to sell or cook with in order to survive in conflict situations around the world. This report outlines a number of practical solutions that could save thousands of women and girls from being attacked.
“Every day, millions of displaced women and girls must collect firewood for their families in dangerous conditions, and are at risk of rape, assault, abduction, theft, exploitation and even death,” says Women’s Commission Executive Director Carolyn Makinson. “They have no choice—it’s a matter of survival. It’s time for the international community to take coordinated action to address this problem.”
The report looks at alternative fuel options, firewood collection techniques and other protection strategies that should be used in displaced and refugee situations worldwide.
Case studies in the report highlight the problems women and girls face in collecting firewood in Darfur and Nepal. Sexual assaults on displaced women and girls outside displaced persons camps in Darfur are commonplace. The research in Nepal, where Bhutanese refugees have received kerosene since 1992 and where they also use alternative fuel options, has found that sexual assaults outside the refugee camps are relatively rare.
“Although rape and other violence during firewood collection is a serious problem, it is one that the international community can do something about now,” Makinson says. “To be effective, however, these strategies mush be coordinated and accompanied by the development of alternative income generation activities.”
Key Recommendations:
- The United Nations should consider providing fuel to displaced families in the early days of an emergency.
- National and international security forces should provide transportation to firewood collection sites and/or routinely patrol the routes.
- Humanitarian agencies should promote fuel-efficient technologies and alternative fuels to lessen the need for firewood.
- These solutions must be coordinated by one agency, implemented in consultation with refugee women and coupled with income generation activities.
For more information, contact:
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
122 East 42nd Street, 12th Floor, New York NY 10168 - 1289, United States
Tel: + 1 212 551 3088
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.womenscommission.org
To read the report, visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infodetail.asp?id=7653
Read more about the rights of women and girls and International Women's Day 2006
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
UN: Small Arms Report of the Secretary-General [report]
This report outlines initiatives taken to implement the Secretary General's recommendations on ways in which the Security Council could contribute to tackling the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The report covers the period from January to December 2005. The most significant achievement during this period is the adoption of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.
For more information, contact:
UN - United Nations
Public Inquiries Unit, United Nations, GA-57, New York, NY 10017
Tel: +1 212 963 4475
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.un.org
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=7507&flag=report
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRAQ: Increased Protection for Children Following Attacks [news]
[BAGHDAD, 5 March 2006] - The Ministry of Interior has announced it will increase security measures to protect children from ongoing violence after a recent report cited shocking figures for children killed and injured in the past four months.
"We'll intensify security in schools and universities with checkpoints, and alert parents not to let their children walk alone, at least until the situation is under control," said Abdel Amir Mahmoud, a senior ministry official.
The report, issued on 1 March by the Ministry of Education, also appealed for better security for children. "The report showed that children in our country are being innocently killed," said Kamal Muhammad, a senior education ministry official. "We urge the Ministry of Interior to take measures to protect them."
According to Muhammad, the report states that 64 children were killed and 57 injured in a total of 417 attacks on educational institutions since November 2005.
Additionally, more than 47 youngsters were kidnapped on their way to or from school for the same period. The report also noted that 311 teachers and government employees had been killed and another 158 wounded in attacks.
"These numbers are scandalous, and urgent procedures should be taken to protect our children and guarantee their safety," Muhammad said. The latest incident was reported on 15 February, when three children were killed by a bomb while on their way to school.
According to experts, such a violent atmosphere can deeply affect the psychology of children and their families. "Children are traumatised from the violence because all this terror is happening in front of their eyes," David Singh, communications officer for UNICEF-Iraq, said from the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The Primary Students Association (PSA) in Baghdad also noted that such violence can produce feelings of aggression in children. "When you speak with students about the violence, the main feeling is of revenge, because their loved ones or friends have been killed," said PSA spokeswoman Mariam Omar. "They say their dream is to be able to shoot whoever was responsible. Urgent psychological help should be offered these children."
Observers, meanwhile, are at a loss to explain the motivations behind attacks on schools and schoolchildren. "There's no confirmed evidence of why schools are being targeted," said Singh. "But whatever the reason, it doesn't justify the reality that children are losing their lives. The government should take urgent measures to restore their safety."
Source: AlertNet/Reuters
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEACEBUILDING: Youth Radio for Peacebuilding – A Guide [resource]
The guidebook "Youth Radio for Peacebuilding - A Guide" has been launched by Radio for Peacebuilding, Africa (RFPA) to help young people design and produce radio programmes to contribute to peacebuilding. Youth radio is a powerful tool for peacebuilding. Just as youth are deeply involved in conflict, they also have the potential to play a role in building peace. Radio has the potential to harness the creativity of young people. The basis of this guide was developed in September 2005 at a workshop in Ghana bringing together presenters and producers from 12 sub-Saharan African countries who explored the skills necessary to make youth programmes which engage the audience and have a positive rather than negative impact, helping to resolve rather than inflame conflict.
A CD-Rom of the guide is available on request from Radio for Peacebuilding
For more information, contact:
Radio for Peacebuilding, Africa est un projet de Search for Common Ground (SFCG)
Siège Européen: Rue Belliard 205, B-1040 Bruxelles, Belgium
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sfcg.org
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=7647&flag=report
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT: Summer Peacebuilding Programme [training]
19 June – 8 July 2006
Location: Washington D.C., United States
The Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute provides knowledge, practical experience and skills for practitioners, teachers and students involved in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and development. The Summer Institute will focus on various approaches to mediation, negotiation, facilitation, reconciliation and dialogue, particularly in conflict-torn and developing regions. Participants will explore innovative methods of promoting cultural diversity with respect to public policy, community and religion, war and post-conflict environments, while expanding their knowledge and skills in a participatory and interactive learning environment. Participants in the Summer Institute will be exposed to leading professionals from the fields of public policy, peacebuilding and development.
The Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute is one of the first programs specifically organised to bridge the two fields of peacebuilding and development. Participants choose from one of three trainings offered weekly, and participants may attend for either one, two, or all three weeks.
For more information, contact:
American University, School of International Service
4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington D.C. 20016-8701 U.S.A
Tel: +1 (202) 885 2014; Fax: +1 (202) 885 1661
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.american.edu/sis/
___________________________________________________________
The CRINMAIL is an electronic mailing list of the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN). CRIN does not accredit, validate or substantiate any information posted by members to the CRINMAIL. The validity and accuracy of any information is the responsibility of the originator.
To subscribe, unsubscribe or view list archives, visit http://www.crin.org/email.
___________________________________________________________
