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To UN Security Council on children in DRC

[NOTE: This letter was sent to all members of the UN Security Council]

October 11, 2002

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict welcomes recent progress toward peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As the Security Council considers additional measures to consolidate peace, we request that special consideration be given to the needs of young people in proposed disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programs.

Reports from DRC indicate that youth are leaving armed groups to return to their families and communities. These communities seek assistance in dealing with the challenges of reintegrating former child soldiers, who may suffer both physical and psychological consequences from their wartime experiences. Successful reintegration of former child combatants is essential for long-term, sustainable peace. The following are recommendations for action that will assist former child soldiers in the DRC and their communities to rebuild their lives and society:

1. Arrangements for the demobilization and reintegration of youth should be made at the earliest stages of peace-making, and in some instances even as hostilities continue
2. All DDR programs and policies should give specific consideration to the needs of children, which are different from those of adult soldiers. This includes:
   • Ensuring opportunities for girls as well as boys to participate in DDR programs designed to meet local needs
   • Ensuring that the qualifications for participation are broad enough to include all children who serve with armed groups, such as including girls who have been subject to sexual slavery
   • Creating a safe and secure place for boys and girls to speak about their experiences and their hopes for the future.
3. Resources should be allocated to capacity-building programs for local communities that are dealing with the challenges of reintegrating former child combatants.

The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict prepares reports on the security and rights of children in conflict situations. We will be releasing a comprehensive report on children in the DRC and Congolese refugee children in the near future. This report will address all issues affecting children, including child soldiers, the threat of HIV/AIDS, access to education and others. In the meantime, it is important that child-focused DDR programs are given a high priority by UN agencies, donor governments and non-governmental agencies working in DRC.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss the situation for children in DRC in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Mary Diaz, Women's Commission, for Refugee Women and Children
Kathy Vandergrift, World Vision
Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict Co-Chairs

cc: Mr. Kofi Annan
Mr. Olara Otunnu
Ms. Carol Bellamy