DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO DRC HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER:

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001141 SIPDIS FOR G/TIP (RYOUSEY) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM KMCA KTIP PGOV KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG CG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED TO DRC HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER: CHILD SOLDIER PREVENTION ACT REF: STATE 121328 ¶1. Per reftel, on December 22 DCM and Poloff delivered information on changes to the Child Soldier Prevention Act to Minister of Human Rights Upio Kakura Wapol. Kakura responded with candor after listening to the salient points of the demarche concerning the definition of a child soldier, the impact of appearing on the list in 2010, and a recognition of existing legislation regarding the recruitment of child soldiers. He acknowledges there is a gap between the existence of Congolese laws and their application, particularly in the area of child soldiers. Referring to the CNDP integration process, he pointed out that there are differences between the political and practical processes of integration and that this gap has an impact on the presence of child soldiers in armed groups. Once effective integration will take place, he said, the next challenge will be what to do with the child soldiers. After a child has been demobilized, there exists the strong possibility of re-recruitment by other groups. For those child soldiers who are now 18 years of age or older, there is a choice between staying in the army or attempting civilian integration, each with their own difficulties. ¶2. Kakura mentioned the existence of an inter-ministerial (Ministries of Defense, Human Rights, and Justice among others) steering committee for demobilization and reintegration that is tasked with these questions. One of his personal ideas is to set up a reintegration school that would be compulsory that all ex-child soldiers would attend to assist them in readapting to a normal life. Finally, Kakura asked what specific information he should provide in order to show what the GDRC is doing in stopping the presence of child soldiers. DCM replied that information on GDRC programs and existing laws vis-a-vis child soldiers, statistics on the dimensions of the problem in the DRC, on the Government's successes and failures in dealing with child soldiers, and on programs dealing with child soldiers carried out by NGO's, churches, etc. would be helpful. ¶3. (Bio note and comment: Trained as a lawyer, Kakura was elected to Parliament in 2006 having worked previously as legal advisor for the Airport Authority (RVA) and as a member of the governing board for Lignes aeriennes congolaises (LAC). He is a member of the Alur tribe from Mahagi, Ituri District, Orientale Province and speaks both French and English, preferring French, however, when speaking with us. Kakura has consistently demonstrated openness and a willingness to engage with us when discussing human rights. In DCM's view, based on nearly two and a half years at post, he is one of the DRC's more accessible, and pleasant cabinet members. End bio note and comment.) GARVELINK