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The Congolese authorities must place protection for children affected by conflict in the country at the top of the political agenda, according to Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. “Child protection must become a priority for the new Congolese Government”, she said during her press conference in Goma. Ms. Coomaraswamy noted that, in her discussions with the Government, they made commitments to take measures to tackle the issues of child recruitment and demobilisation of children associated with armed groups as well as sexual violence. They also reassured her that they will take steps to fight impunity. She urged them to take action, at the correct time, against violators of children’s rights who have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. She also called upon the authorities to immediately arrest commander Biyoyo, who had been tried and convicted for recruitment of children and who is currently at large. The Special Representative stressed the necessity to undertake all necessary measures to demobilise all the children who are still in the ranks of the non-integrated armed groups as well as in the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC). She underlined that proper reintegration of the children into their communities is crucial to avoid their re-recruitment by armed groups and to ensure stability of the peace process. “It is therefore very important to have long term development strategies and to allocate appropriate funds to support the efforts of UNICEF and to child protection partners on the ground”, she said. Ms. Coomaraswamy will report on her visit to the UN Secretary General as well as to the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict in May 2007. She will make recommendations to address issues of violations and impunity, which remain critical in the immediate post-conflict phase and peace consolidation process in the DRC. “Child protection must become a priority for the new Congolese Government”, she said during her press conference in Goma. Ms. Coomaraswamy noted that, in her discussions with the Government, they made commitments to take measures to tackle the issues of child recruitment and demobilisation of children associated with armed groups as well as sexual violence. They also reassured her that they will take steps to fight impunity. She urged them to take action, at the correct time, against violators of children’s rights who have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. She also called upon the authorities to immediately arrest commander Biyoyo, who had been tried and convicted for recruitment of children and who is currently at large. The Special Representative stressed the necessity to undertake all necessary measures to demobilise all the children who are still in the ranks of the non-integrated armed groups as well as in the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC). She underlined that proper reintegration of the children into their communities is crucial to avoid their re-recruitment by armed groups and to ensure stability of the peace process. “It is therefore very important to have long term development strategies and to allocate appropriate funds to support the efforts of UNICEF and to child protection partners on the ground”, she said. Ms. Coomaraswamy will report on her visit to the UN Secretary General as well as to the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict in May 2007. She will make recommendations to address issues of violations and impunity, which remain critical in the immediate post-conflict phase and peace consolidation process in the DRC. Further information pdf: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21820&Cr=&Cr1=