The warrants include allegations of murder, abduction, sexual enslavement, mutilation, rape and the forced enlistment of children.

Preparation of plans for the enlistment of volunteers and training courses to prepare them to help with rescue and relief operations, and action to collect contributions and assistance for the benefit of afflicted families

Nor does the administration want to face up to the military s recruiting and retention problems. The result is large re enlistment bonuses, improved benefits, and higher recruiting costs up 20 just from 2003 to 2005.

Indeed, as is often acknowledged and reiterated, many armed conflicts throughout the world but more often in developing countries and especially in Africa are exacerbated by small arms and give rise to the enlistment of children among the ranks of combatants.

(iv) The continuing recruitment and use of child soldiers by armed forces and groups, including the enlistment and kidnapping of children throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular in North and South Kivu and in the eastern province

In that context, we urge States to accelerate the process of ratification or accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which contains an important provision classifying the conscription or enlistment of children under the age of 15 as a war crime.