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Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, is encouraged by the progress made by the Government of Burundi to ensure greater protection for children affected by conflict in the country. The Special Representative visited Burundi in order to ascertain the situation of children first hand, and to follow-up on the recommendations of the Security Council based on the Secretary General’s report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Burundi. She paid particular attention to the issues of child soldiers, sexual violence and the detention of children associated with armed groups. “The general situation of human rights has significantly improved in Burundi. The measures already taken by the Government to address the recommendations of the Security Council are also very encouraging”, she declared during a press conference in Bujumbura at the end of her visit. The UN Special Representative reported that during her meetings with the President, H.E Pierre Nukurunziza, and senior Ministers, they expressed their deep commitment to continuing the Government’s efforts to address child rights and child protection in the peace consolidation phase. They recognized that all children associated with armed groups, whether they are in detention or remaining in FNL ranks, must be released and reintegrated into their families and communities as a priority. The authorities stressed the importance of long term and sustainable reintegration programs and their centrality in the peace building process. They stated that no efforts would be spared to continue the fight against impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence, particularly regarding minors. Ms. Coomaraswamy welcomed the revised penal code as an indicator of the commitment of the Government to improve the lives of children in Burundi. The code stipulates that the recruitment of children under 16 years is a war crime. She hopes it will be adopted by the parliament and implemented as soon as possible. “The Government can count on the full support of the UN in training of the police and military authorities on child protection”, she said. “Most of the minors detained on charges related to their involvement with armed groups seem to have been released, but efforts still need to be made to improve conditions of detention for minors” said Ms Coomaraswamy. In the short term, the Government promised to ensure that children would be separated from adults during their detention. The Special Representative insisted that the government should ensure that the released children receive sustainable support to ensure their reintegration into their communities. The Special Representative called upon the international community to allocate proper funding for programs that empower young people as pillars of peace consolidation. “UNICEF, BINUB and the entire UN country team will work together to continue their support of the Government in its efforts to address the needs of children in the peace consolidation phase” said the Special Representative. 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. A follow-up report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Burundi is due by September 2007 The Special Representative visited Burundi in order to ascertain the situation of children first hand, and to follow-up on the recommendations of the Security Council based on the Secretary General’s report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Burundi. She paid particular attention to the issues of child soldiers, sexual violence and the detention of children associated with armed groups. “The general situation of human rights has significantly improved in Burundi. The measures already taken by the Government to address the recommendations of the Security Council are also very encouraging”, she declared during a press conference in Bujumbura at the end of her visit. The UN Special Representative reported that during her meetings with the President, H.E Pierre Nukurunziza, and senior Ministers, they expressed their deep commitment to continuing the Government’s efforts to address child rights and child protection in the peace consolidation phase. They recognized that all children associated with armed groups, whether they are in detention or remaining in FNL ranks, must be released and reintegrated into their families and communities as a priority. The authorities stressed the importance of long term and sustainable reintegration programs and their centrality in the peace building process. They stated that no efforts would be spared to continue the fight against impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence, particularly regarding minors. Ms. Coomaraswamy welcomed the revised penal code as an indicator of the commitment of the Government to improve the lives of children in Burundi. The code stipulates that the recruitment of children under 16 years is a war crime. She hopes it will be adopted by the parliament and implemented as soon as possible. “The Government can count on the full support of the UN in training of the police and military authorities on child protection”, she said. “Most of the minors detained on charges related to their involvement with armed groups seem to have been released, but efforts still need to be made to improve conditions of detention for minors” said Ms Coomaraswamy. In the short term, the Government promised to ensure that children would be separated from adults during their detention. The Special Representative insisted that the government should ensure that the released children receive sustainable support to ensure their reintegration into their communities. The Special Representative called upon the international community to allocate proper funding for programs that empower young people as pillars of peace consolidation. “UNICEF, BINUB and the entire UN country team will work together to continue their support of the Government in its efforts to address the needs of children in the peace consolidation phase” said the Special Representative. 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. A follow-up report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Burundi is due by September 2007. More information
pdf: http://www.un.org/children/conflict/pr/2007-03-13governmentcommit147.html