Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui who witnessed the agreement late Tuesday said using children in conflict has a shocking impact on their lives and their protection is essential to build the future of their country.
"The promise of the Action Plan is that children will be protected from recruitment and use and other grave violations at all times, including during periods of instability or conflict," Zerrougui said in a statement.
"Accountability is key. If those who recruit, kill, maim and rape boys and girls, attack schools and hospitals never face justice, no lasting peace will be possible."
South Sudan is one of the eight countries involved in the campaign "Children, not Soldiers" launched in March.
The campaign aims to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government security forces listed by the Secretary- General in his annual report on children and armed conflict.
"I am very pleased that South Sudan government has now recommitted to the Action Plan, which is an important step towards restoring the rights of children in this country and averting the loss of another generation," said Toby Lanzer, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the UN Mission in South Sudan.
The Action Plan, originally signed in 2009 and renewed in 2012, resulted in the release of more than 1,000 children, command orders banning child recruitment and use, as well as the creation of a SPLA unit dedicated to the protection of children.
Source : Republika
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