Brussels, 13/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 12 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton took advantage of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers to urge countries and armed groups to put an end to recruiting children. “Many countries and armed groups have signed action plans with the United Nations to end underage recruitment, which have resulted in the release and reintegration of children as well as the prosecution of perpetrators. I urge other parties to follow suit with immediate effect”, she said in a press release.
Ashton and the United Nations special representative for children and armed conflicts, Leila Zerrougui, reiterated their support for the fight against impunity for those who persistently violate the rights of children in conflicts. “Without serious attention to this issue, the credibility of the international child protection system will suffer. We hope that the landmark ruling of the International Criminal Court in the Thomas Lubanga case sent a clear signal that grave violations will not remain unpunished”, the two women stated. Lubanga was found guilty in July 2012 of having recruited child soldiers during the civil war in Ituri (Republic of Congo) in 2002-2003. (CG/transl.fl)