Bukavu, 10 February 2012 – Through its Bukavu office, in Sud Kivu province, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) organized from 7 to 11 February 2012, a sensitization campaign for officers of the Congolese Army (Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo - FARDC). This activity is part of the support that MONUSCO has been providing to this institution. The selected themes included: international humanitarian law, human rights, child protection, and the disarmament, demobilization, reinsertion, repatriation and resettlement process. The sessions took place in Kalehe, Walungu and Shabunda territories with and 120 officers and non-commissioned officers who took part.

Through this sensitization campaign, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) and MONUSCO Child Protection Section reminded the participants the precepts set out in international humanitarian law regarding the treatment of wounded and prisoners of war; respect for human rights and for children; the definition of "child" according to the different national and international legal instruments; the process of identification, verification and removal of the children from the forces and armed groups. The sensitization campaign also considered the course of action to follow regarding the combatants who voluntarily surrender through the DDR/RR process.

This sensitization campaign follows another campaign launched by MONUSCO in April-May 2011, in the localities of Kalehe-Centre and Nyamukubi, as well as Kabare and Walungu territories. More than 760 FARDC officers and non-commissioned officers had participated in that campaign.

Tahina Garcia Andriamamonjitianasoa/ MONUSCO