A/70/162
Colombia — Ejército del Pueblo and looks forward to the swift implementation of
their release and to further progress to ensure the separation of all childre n.
43. In the Central African Republic, the Brazzaville Agreement of July 2014 offered
another example of how the implementation of a cessation of hostilities agreement
can open space to engage parties to conflict on child protection issues. Following the
Agreement, United Nations leadership and child protection actors intensified their
engagement with non-State armed groups, which resulted in the adoption of command
orders to prohibit the recruitment and use of children by two ex -Séléka factions,
namely, the Rassemblement patriotique pour le renouveau de Centafrique and the
Union pour la paix en Centrafrique. As the political process was going on, the United
Nations used an opening in the lead-up to the Bangui Forum for the signature of a
commitment by 11 armed groups and factions from ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka on
5 May 2014 to stop and prevent the recruitment and use of children, as well as other
grave violations against children. As at July 2015, a number of the armed groups are
in the process of discussing action plans with the United Nations, and several hundred
children have been released.
44. An action plan agreed between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the
United Nations on the issue of the recruitment and use of child soldiers was signed in
2009 and renewed in 2013. Progress on the implementation of the action plan has
been steady, with the Government of the Philippines facilitating access for the
United Nations. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front increased its engagement and
conducted repeated information sessions on ending child recruitment with members
of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces. In parallel, planning for a
communications campaign, as identified in the action plan, continued with the aim of
sensitizing the community on the involvement of children in the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front. The Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front also convened in April 2015 to discuss its role in preventing
the recruitment and use of children by armed groups in communities. The United
Nations continued to support and assist the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, utilizing
political momentum as the peace negotiations continued. The Government has also
improved the legal framework regarding grave violations against chi ldren, which
will apply to all parties to conflict in the Philippines.
V. Raising global awareness and mainstreaming
A.
Field visits
45. Field visits remain a central aspect of the Special Representative ’s activities
because they provide an important opportunity to engage directly with parties to
conflict, government officials, the diplomatic community and civil society to pursue
advocacy and mandate implementation. Field visits were complemented by other
engagements outlined in the present report, which were undertaken in various
countries to engage with parties to conflict or foster international cooperation to
ensure respect for children’s rights. During the reporting period, the Special
Representative undertook field visits to Somalia (Aug ust 2014), Nigeria (January
2015) and Myanmar (July 2015).
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