Bring children in conflict to core of Geneva talks – UNICEF

[February 15, 2006 - 9.45 GMT]

UNICEF has called on all parties to remember their commitments made under the CFA, including a stop to the recruitment of children.

The number of children released and reunited with their families remains low in Sri Lanka.

UNICEF yesterday called on the parties to the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) to reaffirm their commitment and to ensure that the protection of children affected by the conflict is at the centre of upcoming talks in Geneva.

According to the UNICEF communiqué of particular importance remained the unresolved situation of child recruitment. UNICEF yet again appealed to the LTTE to cease the recruitment of children and to release all children within its ranks as child recruitment is a serious violation of international law.

“The recruitment of children in the last six months declined to an average of 43 a month, only 79 children were released and reunited with their families during the same period,” says Ms. JoAnna VanGerpen, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka. 

“While the recruitment of children has been reduced, and the average age of recruitment has increased from 14 to 16 over the past four years, recruitment of even one child is unacceptable according to the Convention of the Rights of the Child.  Since January 2002, UNICEF has recorded 5,368 cases of reported child recruitment in Sri Lanka”, continued Ms. VanGerpen. 

UNICEF shared this position at a child protection meeting with LTTE officials under the framework of the Action Plan for Children Affected by War on Sunday, 12 February.

UNICEF is mandated by the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to monitor child rights violations, under the Action Plan for Children Affected by War. 

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Last Updated Date: February 15, 2006 - 9.45 GMT