Publications:

This report was prepared for consideration by the Committee on the occasion of its examination, in September 2011, of the initial report of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under OPAC. It analyses the extent to which the Congolese government meets its obligations under OPAC. It expresses particular concern over: the continuing recruitment of children by national armed/security forces and non-state armed groups, in breach of applicable legislation; the likely presence of large numbers of children in the national army following the integration of armed groups; the unlawful detention and ill-treatment by the Congolese authorities of children captured from the ranks of armed groups; endemic impunity for the crime of child recruitment and use; and the absence of an effective and comprehensive strategy to release children from fighting forces and assist their social reintegration.

The report reveals that only half of returning child soldiers are able to access reintegration support – which often fails to address their complex medical, psychological or socio-economic needs – and that girls are vastly overlooked by the few programs that do exist. The report argues that progress achieved over the last eight years remains highly insufficient and that the government, supported by the international community, must rely on a much longer-term strategy for putting a definitive end to child recruitment and use. The report puts forward a range of recommendations on the issues above.