NEW YORK, 21. september 2010: Hailing the move by several countries to ban the use of child soldiers, a top United Nations official Tuesday urged that all nations that have not yet done so take the important step of signing and ratifying the global treaty that serves to protect children in armed conflict.
– Today is a landmark day for children, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, said after three countries either signed or ratified the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.
The Protocol, one of two that strengthen the Convention on the Rights of the Child, serves to ensure that children will not be forced to fight in war or be pressed into military service.
Gabon and Malawi ratified the protocol, while Iran signed it. The protocol is one of dozens of treaties that are open for signature, ratification or accession during the annual treaty event that coincides with the high-level segment of the General Assembly.
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