Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict visiting the DR Congo

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[NEW YORK/ KINSHASA, 5 March 2007] – Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict will be visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 4 to 9 March, at the invitation of the Government.

The objective of this field mission is to ascertain first hand the situation of children with a view to collaborating with all the stakeholders to ensure greater protection for children in the immediate post-conflict phase and peace consolidation process. Ms. Coomaraswamy will pay particular attention to the issues of children associated with armed groups, sexual violence and impunity.

The UN Special Representative will have a constructive dialogue with the Government on these important issues. Furthermore, she will meet with relevant non state parties, members of the civil society, NGOs and children affected by conflict, in the effort to address grave violations against children. She will undertake visits to the District of Ituri as well as the Provinces of North and South Kivu.

The mission is intended 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 the DRC, in the framework of Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005).

Further information

Country: 
Congo, Democratic Republic of the

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