robe committee on child-recruitment

Fulfilling a pledge to the UN Security Council, the Government on Monday appointed a special committee to inquire into abductions and recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe appointed the 12-member committee, representing all Government stakeholders who will liaise with other State mechanisms to ensure speedy investigations into such allegations, a Ministry spokesman said.

The Government at the Seventh UN Security Council Working group on Children and Armed Conflict on February 9, 2007 promised action to ensure independent and credible investigation into allegations against Security Forces of helping the Karuna faction to recruit children.

This pledge was given following a report by the UN raised allegations that the Security Forces were helping the Karuna faction.

“This committee, directly answerable to Human Rights Minister will oversee and ensure transparent process and help initiate new investigations into complaints of child abductions and recruitment,” the spokesman said.

Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the UN in New York Bernard Goonatilleke, during the February meeting also conveyed that the Government was “fully committed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of child combatants who escaped from captivity of armed groups.”

The rehabilitation process includes providing a safe environment, re-unification with family and vocational training.

The ‘child rights’ committee comprises Justice and Law Reforms Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath, Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Ministry Secretary Indrani Sugathadasa, Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Additional Secretary G. K. D. Amarawardana, Chairman of the Child Protection Authority and Deputy Solicitor General’s (AG’s Department) Shavindra Fernando and Yasantha Kodagoda.

It will also have a special Foreign Secretary nominee and representatives from the three Armed Services and the Police nominated by the Defence Secretary and a representative from the Peace Secretariat.

This body will liaise and communicate with other State consultative and co-ordinating mechanisms on protecting human rights and rights under humanitarian law, especially the rights of children caught up in conflict.