BISSAU, Guinea Bissau, October 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The European Union Delegation, in agreement with the Heads of Mission of the
Embassies of Spain, France and Portugal in Bissau, warmly welcomes the ratification by
Guinea-Bissau, on 24 September 2014, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
With this ratification, Guinea Bissau is reinforcing the global trend towards eliminating
the recruitment of children into armed forces. Children affected by armed conflict remain
among the top human rights priorities of the European Union. Armed conflicts still affect
a great number of children and pose a serious threat to their survival, development and
life opportunities.
The European Union Delegation and the Heads of Mission of the Embassies of Spain,
France and Portugal considers the ratification an important step by the authorities of
Guinea-Bissau and encourages them to pursue their efforts to further improve the
promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
The European Union stands ready to support Guinea-Bissau in implementing the
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of
children in armed conflict, which will enter into force for Guinea-Bissau on 24 October
2014.
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