“This is a big step for Afghanistan to honour their international obligations in regards to children affected by armed conflict,” said Swen Dornig, a special adviser on children and armed conflict working with the NATO mission in Afghanistan. “We need to shield children as much as practically possible from the adverse effects of armed conflict,” he said. “Clear guidance is provided to commanders in the field on how to better protect children from the conflict,” Dornig added. Furlong said Canada is amending the Armed Forces Code of Conduct to expand the requirement for military personnel to report any violation of the law of armed conflict. Canadian troops will be required to report sexual assaults involving children and potentially other vulnerable groups, she said.

Source: thestar January 04, 2018 00:11 UTC