Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bujumbura (Agenzia Fides) - A recent Human Rights Watch report said that instead of rehabilitating child soldiers the Burundian government lets them languish in prison. These children were forcefully enlisted by the National Liberation Forces rebel group, the last outlawed militia group which recently signed a temporary treaty with the government (see Fides 19 June).
According to the HWR report dozens of children are detained in prisons and in a transit camps for former NLF combatants without any indication of their juridical status or when they will be returned to their families. The report also denounces unequal treatment and conditions for former child soldiers in prison compared to those in camps for former NLF combatants where the children receive better treatment but are still forced to live with adults combatants.
Since the end of 2004, about 3,000 former child soldiers have benefited from a demobilisation programme and work training. However these children were in the ranks of the other militia groups which signed a peace agreement with the government. NLF child soldiers cannot benefit from the programme until the group agrees to sign a lasting peace agreement .
The HRW report was released on 16 June the Day for the African Child organised by the African Union and UNICEF to spread awareness of the evils afflicting children in Africa: war and violence; lack of instruction and healthcare and for girls subject to sexual abuse. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2006 righe 29 parole 320)
