DATE=10/11/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHILDREN IN CONFLICT (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-267779
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations' special representative for children in armed conflict, Olara Otunnu, says significant progress has been made in the past three years in efforts to protect children in combat areas. From the United Nations, V-O-A Correspondent Barbara Schoetzau reports Mr. Otunnu says the issue is now high on the international political agenda.
TEXT: Mr. Otunnu says the rights of children are now more central to the peace and security considerations of diplomatic and political groups. He says public awareness of the issue has grown and the protection of children is being incorporated into peace processes and peacekeeping operations.
U-N officials estimate that more than two-million children were killed in armed conflicts between 1986 and 1996. They say wars have currently displaced more than 22-million children.
At a news conference discussing his third annual report to the General Assembly, Mr. Otunnu said even warring parties in certain conflicts have made commitments to respect children's rights and international humanitarian law.
/// OTUNNU ACT ///
As I speak, both in Sudan and Colombia, the parties in conflict, both the government and insurgency groups, have undertaken to place this on the agenda of their ongoing peace processes.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Otunnu says that in recent years, agreements in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, and Burundi have explicitly included protection of children. The U-N official says 70 nations have signed an agreement to raise the minimum age for recruiting soldiers from 15 to 18, which he calls a major victory. (Signed)
NEB/NYC/BJS/LSF/JWH
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