MILF-UNICEF Action Plan on child soldiers extended
Cotabato, August 17 - Commitment to protect children affected by armed conflict was reaffirmed on 1st August 2010 with the extension of the Action Plan between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the United Nations in the Philippines on the issue of recruitment and the use of child soldiers in Mindanao. Originally signed in 2009, the extension of the Action Plan for a further 12 months builds on the progress so far and reinforces the MILF’s pledge to meet the needs of children through concrete, time-bound activities pertaining to prevention of recruitment, release and reintegration of any children under 18, unimpeded access by monitoring teams, and awareness and capacity building on child rights and child protection mechanisms within the MILF. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is taking an active role in facilitating the release of children who may be found within the camps and in helping children adapt to civilian life. “Whether used in combatant or support roles, the involvement of children under the age of 18 in armed conflict poses unacceptable risk to children and is a grave violation of their rights. The readiness of the MILF to continue its engagement in the Action Plan is a welcome step in addressing this issue, and allows UNICEF to enhance support for those affected,” said UNICEF Representative Vanessa Tobin.
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