From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Tue Sep 29 2009 - 23:55:40 EDT
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Eight more countries join battle to stop child soldiers
(AFP) - 2 hours ago
UNITED NATIONS - Eight more UN member states have agreed to sign on to
the 2007 Paris Commitments aiming to protect children from being
recruited by armed forces or armed groups.
Albania, Guinea, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Jamaica,
Liechtenstein, Panama and Senegal endorsed the commitments on Tuesday at
a ministerial session, bringing to 84 the number of countries which have
done so.
The Paris Commitments were adopted in February 2007 as an expression of
strengthened international resolve to prevent the recruitment of
children and highlight the actions governments should take to protect
children affected by conflict.
"It is important that all children, whether they have joined an armed
group by force or by circumstance, have access to vital assistance to
help them reintegrate and lead empowered and productive lives, said Ann
Veneman, the executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund.
"The support for the ?Paris Principles? and new endorsements show that
the international community is mobilized to stop this unbearable
phenomenon," said Alain Joyandet, France's junior minister for
cooperation.
Around a quarter of a million children are fighting in the ranks of
armed groups across the world, down from around 300,000 five years ago,
according to UN officials.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iK15M6MMCLiVPxiypyOrv
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