He has just returned from a visit to 7 African countries, where he says, he underscored the importance of strictly applying the international sanctions. The fact that this murderous war has gone on for 24 years or its 40 years depending on where you decide to start counting. I met with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator who has subsequently declared an impending humanitarian catastrophe in Angola. Meanwhile, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Angola. The impact of the war on children in Colombia is massive.
Children constitute the largest number of the displaced populations.
Children are being used by most of the fighting groups as child soldiers. Mr. Otunnu says the Colombian government has pledged to adopt laws to raise the minimum age of recruitment into the military from 15 to 18 and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia has promised to stop recruiting children under 15. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women this week commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the sole treaty that deals exclusively with women's rights. While that constitutes an essential step, she said, laws are not self-implementing. Ms. Frechette said true equality for women also requires political will, advocacy and raising awareness.