World News Story

04 July 2009 22:33 BST

Experience "deadly" for Congo's child soldiers

Former child soldiers are being re-recruited in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because of their previous experience, human rights group Amnesty International warns today.

Its report on the DRC's North Kivu province in the east of the country claims as many as half of the former child soldiers who had been reunited with their families may have been abducted and forced to arms again.

North Kivu has been the epicentre of fighting since the conflict began 15 years ago. Fighting resumed between the government and insurgent forces in December 2006 and the situation has deteriorated rapidly since May last year, prompting concerns about human rights in the region.

Amnesty suggests that, for every two children released, five are forced to be child soldiers.

"It is precisely their previous experience with armed groups that makes them valuable recruits and puts these children at greater risk," researcher Andrew Philip said.

"The more they know, the more they are at risk of re-recruitment. In this case, experience can be deadly."

The report also outlines the extent of the physical and sexual abuse suffered by women in the conflict. It claims some women are being held as sexual slaves.

Around 350 rape cases are reported every month in the region, but the precise number of rapes is not known.

"One of the factors leading to a resurgence of any conflict is the distinct failure to adequately address issues affecting survivors of rape and other forms of sexual violence," Amnesty International UK's stop violence against women campaign manager Heather Harvey said.

"The DRC government must urgently consult with women and women-led organisations to develop effective mechanisms which would protect women and girls from ongoing sexual violence and restore stability to the community."