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Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, under section 14 of Ordinance No. 01/PCE/CEDNACVG of 16 January 1991 reorganizing the armed forces of Chad [Ordinance No. 1 of 16 January 1991], the age of recruitment is 18 years for volunteers and 20 years for conscripts.

The Committee notes that, according to the report of the United Nations Secretary-General of 7 August 2008 on children and armed conflict in Chad (S/2008/532, for the period July 2007–June 2008), the political, military and security situation in the country remains highly volatile, owing to the continuation of armed conflict between the Chad armed forces and armed rebel groups, the presence in eastern Chad of foreign rebel groups, cross-border raids by the Janjaweed militia and continuing inter-ethnic tensions. The Committee notes that, according to the Secretary-General’s report, the Government of Chad and the three main rebel groups, namely the Union des forces pour la démocratie et le développement (UFDD), the Rassemblement des forces pour le changement (RFC) and the Concorde nationale tchadienne (CNT), signed a peace agreement on 25 October 2007 which provided for an immediate cease-fire. However, despite the signature of this agreement, fighting has continued and all the parties concerned have continued to recruit and use children in the conflict.

The Committee notes that the Secretary-General’s Report shows that the forced recruitment and use of child soldiers in the conflict in Chad is related to the regional dimension of the conflict. The Toroboro or Sudanese armed groups allied with the Government of Chad are recruiting children from two refugee camps, at Tréguine and Bredjing, during the rainy season. Furthermore, heavy recruitment also occurs on the basis of needs in Darfur. The Sudanese rebel movement Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) continues to recruit in and around refugee camps, notably Oure Cassoni (Bahai). According to information in the Secretary‑General’s report, between 7,000 and 10,000 children are associated with the armed forces and armed groups. The Committee notes that the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in its conclusions of December 2008 (S/AC.51/2008/15), expressed grave concern that all parties to the conflict continue to recruit and use children and called for measures to be taken to prosecute the perpetrators and put an end to impunity.

The Committee notes that the situation in Chad has been unstable for many years and that it remains fragile. The Committee also notes that, despite the fact that Ordinance No. 1 of 16 January 1991 provides that the age of recruitment is 18 years for volunteers and 20 years for conscripts, the recruitment of children for use in armed conflict is continuing in practice. In this regard, it notes that no penalties are laid down for violations of this prohibition. The Committee expresses deep concern at the current situation, especially as the persistence of the worst forms of child labour leads to other violations of the rights of the child, such as abduction, death and sexual violence. It reminds the Government that under Article 3(a) of the Convention, the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 years of age for use in armed conflict is considered to be one of the worst forms of child labour and that, under Article 1 of the Convention, members States must take immediate and effective measures to secure the elimination of the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures as a matter of urgency to stop in practice the forced recruitment of children under 18 years of age by armed forces and groups and immediately undertake the full demobilization of all children. With reference to Security Council resolution 1612 of 26 July 2005, which recalls the “responsibilities of States to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious crimes perpetrated against children”, the Committee urges the Government to take immediate steps to ensure that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted and that penalties which are sufficiently effective and dissuasive are imposed on persons found guilty of recruiting and using children under 18 years of age in armed conflict. It requests the Government to supply information in this respect.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Effective and time-bound measures. Clauses (b) and (c). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration, including access to free basic education and vocational training. Children who have been enlisted and used in armed conflict. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that, according to the report of the United Nations Secretary‑General of 7 August 2008  on children and armed conflict in Chad (S/2008/532), the Government of Chad signed an agreement with UNICEF on 9 May 2007 to ensure the release and sustainable reintegration of all child soldiers associated with armed forces and groups in the country. According to the Secretary-General’s report, since the agreement was signed, 512 child soldiers have been released to UNICEF, which has provided support at five transit centres. So far 265 children have voluntarily returned to or been reunited with their families, and 220 have been placed in schools and 85 in professional activities. Most of the demobilized children were associated with non-governmental armed groups. Very few children associated with the Chadian armed forced have been released. According to the Secretary-General’s report, negotiations are under way for placing the demobilized children in vocational training institutions and providing them with gainful employment. Some NGOs which are partners of UNICEF are currently working on the reintegration programme. Moreover, the encouraging start of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration activities in Chad is likely to lead to the release of another estimated 2,500 children associated with armed forces and groups.

The Committee also notes that, according to the Secretary-General’s report, Chad undertook to release as a matter of priority children associated with armed groups held in detention. Moreover, it decided that an inter-ministerial task force would be established to coordinate and ensure effective reintegration of children. The Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its concluding observations of February 2009 (CRC/C/TDC/CO/2, paragraph 71), urged the Government to take the necessary measures immediately to facilitate contact between armed groups operating in Chad and the United Nations in order to promote the demobilization of children and prevent the recruitment of children, particularly in refugee camps. In this regard, the Committee on the Rights of the Child urges the Government to extend the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme, placing particular emphasis on the demobilization and reintegration of girls.

The Committee notes the measures taken by the Government to demobilize and reintegrate child soldiers, particularly through collaboration with UNICEF. It notes, however, that the current situation in the country remains a source of concern. The Committee therefore requests the Government to intensify its efforts and continue its collaboration with UNICEF and other organizations in order to improve the situation of child victims of forced recruitment for use in armed conflict. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to ensure that child soldiers removed from armed forces and groups receive adequate assistance for their rehabilitation and social integration, including reintegration into the school system or vocational training, wherever possible and appropriate. It requests the Government to supply information in this respect.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.