**In-depth investigation into the situation of children’s rights affected by war in the North Kivu region**
In the troubled region of North Kivu, in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the issue of children’s rights remains a major concern following the devastating effects of the war raging in this region. During an exceptional meeting of the Children’s Parliament of Butembo-Lubero, it was noted that the majority of violations of children’s rights are directly linked to this violent conflict.
The president of this body, Joël Ngunza, highlighted during this meeting the variety of violence suffered by children in the region, highlighting the devastating impact of the war on their well-being and development. He also highlighted the alarming case of fifty children currently detained in the urban prison of Butembo, raising concerns about their conditions of detention and calling for urgent measures to guarantee their safety and protection.
The efforts of the Butembo-Lubero Children’s Parliament to advocate for these detained children and for the creation of a Child Care Facility in the city of Butembo demonstrate their commitment to protecting children’s rights in a context of crisis and armed conflict.
This meeting was also an opportunity to discuss with the children present other essential themes such as health, the environment, nutrition, sexual and gender-based violence, thus highlighting the importance of taking into account all aspects of children’s development and well-being in humanitarian crisis contexts.
The theme chosen for the International Children’s Rights Day, “Let’s listen to the future”, thus finds its full meaning in this context where children, despite the difficulties they face, continue to carry hope and claim their fundamental rights.
In conclusion, it is imperative to strengthen actions to protect children’s rights in areas affected by armed conflict, by putting in place effective mechanisms to ensure their safety, education and well-being. The Children’s Parliament of Butembo-Lubero reminds us that the voice of children must be heard and that their future deserves to be protected and respected, regardless of the difficult circumstances they face.