Burundi celebrates Universal Children's Day with warning of violence against chi

As the world celebrated on Tuesday the Universal Children's Day, the Burundian

National Federation of Associations Committed in the Promotion of the Child

Sector (FENADEB) has warned against "mounting physical and moral violence" on

children, a declaration from the FENADEB has said.

The Universal Children's Day happens at a time Burundian children face

mounting physical and moral violence in different parts of the country, said

FENADEB Vice-Chairman Louis Ndabahagamye in the declaration to the media.

According to Ndabahagamye, this situation can lead to a "red" phase if

nothing is done urgently.

He also stressed that the day happens at a time children living with

disabilities do not have a legal framework that protects them.

"The situation is being aggravated by the increasing number of children

who opt for "street life."

The FENADEB official said some girls are victims of trafficking while

other children are employed in gold extraction especially in the gold-rich

provinces of Muyinga (northeast) and Cibitoke (northwest).

Ndabahagamye however commended Burundi for having created the National

Forum for Children, which is a platform where Burundian children discuss their

issues.

"We call on the government to ratify the convention on the rights of

persons living with disabilities and the third optional protocol to the

convention on the rights of persons with disabilities," said Ndabahagamye.