Government of Burundi/UNICEF Joint Declaration, 03/'96

DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
TO THE PROTECTION OF
THE CHILDREN OF BURUNDI

This joint declaration for the children of Burundi by the Government of Burundi and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), expresses an agreement between the two parties
to:

o protect, defend and care for all of the children of the country,

o facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance for children and their families,

o and ensure the establishment of a mechanism to guarantee the safety and protection of relief workers.

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The Situation

Today, the children of Burundi are at risk of exposure to violence and armed conflict. The impact of conflict on children can be long lasting and harmful to their survival and healthy development. The international community recognizes this danger: an international convention and other agreements for the protection and care of children in situations of armed conflict have been promulgated. Among these is the Convention on the Rights of the Child which the government of Burundi ratified on 19 October 1990 signifying its commitment to ensuring the survival, development, and protection of all the children up to the age of 18 years within its borders.

The Commitment

The health and well-being of a nation's children is the highest responsibility of government and the international community is committed to assisting governments to fulfill this most solemn responsibility.

Recognizing the profound and destructive impact that armed conflict has on civilian populations, the Government of Burundi with the support of UNICEF makes the following pledge:

On the conduct of conflict

Civilians, and in particular, women and children, shall at all times be guaranteed respect for their lives and physical and moral integrity in accordance with established international humanitarian law and standards.

The same principle shall apply to civilian facilities such as schools, clinics, hospitals and churches.

On provision of humanitarian assistance

Neutrality shall be the guiding principle for humanitarian assistance, that is, the belief that humanitarian assistance should be provided without any discrimination.

Humanitarian assistance shall be provided according to the needs of affected population, and must not serve any political, ethnic or religious group.

All humanitarian assistance provided is for the use of identified civilian beneficiaries. Priority must be given to children, women, and other vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, displaced and disabled.

Diversion of humanitarian assistance, including food and medicines, from intended civilian beneficiaries is a violation of the international legal and moral principles to which we are committed.

In situations of armed conflict and violence, the taks of humanitarian emergency organizations shall granted the facilities necessary to carry out their duties. Medical and relief personnel shall be respected and protected in the performance of their duties; free access to populations in need shall also be be granted to them.

On the protection and care of children

We acknowledge that the supreme interest of the Burundian child remain the principle in providing for his protection and safeguarding his mental and physical health.

In case of conflict, it is the obligation of all parties to take all necessary steps to ensure the survival and development of every child, including provision of essential primary health care, provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water, and education according to moral and intellectual values of the society.

We further acknowledge that in accordance with international humanitarian law, children must not be subjected to any form of cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment. Protecting children who are affected by armed conflicts and meeting their needs is an absolute obligation and responsibility of the State, the communities, the families and the leadership of civil society, including religious leaders, educators and medical personnel.

We recognize the absolute obligation to prevent the involvement of children in armed conflicts. Every effort will be made to remove children from combatant forces. Armed forces shall return unaccompanied children to civilian communities.

Special attention shall be provided to children who are separated from their parents: every effort shall be made for them to be reunited with their families, or provided safe foster care.

The same attention shall be devoted to children who are disabled whether as a result of conflict or other causes. Provision of rehabilitative services and supplies shall be granted.

The Action

In order to meet the commitments outlined above, the Government of Burundi and UNICEF agree to elaborate a joint programme of action which will be implemented in cooperation with the United Nations agencies, international and national NGOs and communities themselves.

The scope of our programme of action shall encompass all activities aiming at accelerating the improvement in the survival, development and protection of all Burundian children.

Appropriate action will be undertaken to ensure that communities and families are knowledgable about the impact of armed conflict and violence on children and are trained in addressing the psycho-social needs of children and women who may be exposed to physical and mental abuse or mistreatment.

Recognizing that prevention of conflict is an essential aspect of child protection, efforts will be made to empower national and community-based organizations to work towards the implementation of the National Mobilization Campaign for Peace and Reconciliation.

In conclusion,

The Government of Burundi and all its institutions, joined by community leaders and non-governmental organizations, and UNICEF, agree to disseminate this declaration and promote respect for the rights of all Burundian children.

The Government of Burundi and UNICEF commit themselves to develop and implement joint programmes toward ensuring that every child has access to protection, essential services and humanitarian assistance necessary to his development.

For the Government of Burundi, For UNICEF,

Antoine NDUWAYO Stephen LEWIS
Prime Minister Deputy Executive Director

Bujumbura, 12 February 1996

(original signed in French)

The signature was followed by an official launch of the Burundian Initiative for Child Protection and Peace deriving from the Declaration.

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Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 16:44:15 +0300 (GMT+0300) From: Ben Parker <ben@dha.unon.org> Subject: Government of Burundi/UNICEF Joint Declaration 12 Feb 1996 (fwd) Message-Id: <Pine.LNX.3.91.960301164400.12235a-100000@dha.unon.org>