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Eight more countries join battle to stop use of children in conflict
United Nations (AFP) Sept 29, 2009 Eight UN member states on Tuesday 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 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. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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