As part of the interactive dialogue with Ms. Virginia Gamba, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), called for urgent measures to protect child soldiers as victims. She also recommended the systematic follow-up and prosecution of children recruiters, whether they are state or non-state officials.

This interactive dialogue was organized as part of the 49th session of the Human Rights Council on 16 March 2022.

CNDH Chairperson also stressed that following the frequency of children recruitment in Africa, the responsibility of the international community should expand to integrate children to build peace, ensure political settlement of conflicts and allow their rehabilitation and integration into a life that is closer to normal.

Ms. Bouayach underlined that the General Assembly of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) approved the CNDH proposal on creating a Working Group for the Protection of Children.
The CNDH Chairperson welcomed the UN Special Representative’s report and its recommendations. She also called for including the role of independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in its future reports, given their important role in protecting children from any moral, psychological and ideological exploitation that facilitates their use as shields and backup in armed conflicts.

The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 stipulate the need to provide particular protection and support for children during armed conflicts.

Download the video related to the CNDH President's statement (Arabic)