Hundred nations to ban child soldiers in armed conflicts
Baku, October 4 (AZERTAC). The UN has noted that hundreds of thousands of children worldwide are associated with armed forces, or armed groups in conflict. Many are exposed to tremendous and sustained violence - as witnesses, as direct victims themselves and as forced participants. The impact on their mental and physical well-being breaches the most fundamental human rights and represents a grave threat to durable peace and sustainable development, as cycles of violence are perpetuated.
Five states added their names to the `Paris Commitments` to protect children from recruitment and use by armed forces or armed groups. The number of States to have endorsed the commitments has increased from 95 to 100, the latest coming from Angola, Armenia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica and San Marino. Over half the member states of the UN have now joined the Paris Commitments.
"The support to the `Paris Principles` and new endorsements of the `Paris Commitments` show that the international community is mobilised to stop this unbearable phenomenon," said Mr. Francois Zimeray, France`s Ambassador for Human Rights. "The time for warnings has come to an end. We have to take into account what is working and what is not. It`s high time to make justice happen" said the Ambassador. A concept that was also underlined in a very moving and personal way by Grace Akallo, Founder and Executive Director of United Africans for Women and Children`s Rights and co-founder of Network of Young People Affected by War.
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