Children’s rights

The second ministerial Paris Commitments review forum, within the framework of the fight against the recruitment and use of children by armed groups and forces, was held on September 29, 2009, on the sidelines of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly. This meeting was co-chaired by Alain Joyandet, Secretary of State for Cooperation and Francophonie, Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy.

Ninety States took part in this second ministerial forum. Eight States announced that they endorsed the Paris Commitments, bringing the number of States that have endorsed the Paris Commitments to 84. This forum also allowed for the presentation of the programs to reintegrate child soldiers implemented within the framework of the Paris Commitments.

These Commitments were adopted on February 2007 in Paris and reflect the determination of the UN Member States to bring an end to the recruitment and use of child soldiers. They propose concrete measures to better protect children impacted by armed conflict.

France welcomes the additional support for the Paris Commitments and welcomes the increased mobilization of the international community towards ending this intolerable practice. The issue of child soldiers is a priority for France’s human rights policy.