The International Criminal Court launches its school outreach campaign in Kinshasa

The ICC outreach team in Kinshasa launched its campaign in schools with a one-day cultural event along the theme “No to the use of child soldiers”. The use of children in armed forces or groups is a sad reality for a number of countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction to prosecute and try those who conscript or enlist children under the age of 15 years or who use them to participate actively in hostilities. This crime is the subject of the Lubanga trial, which is the Court’s first trial, and also features among the charges in the second trial which will start in September.

Eleven schools in Kinshasa played an active part in the launch of the campaign on Saturday 16 May. They recited poetry, performed ballets, dances and short plays to more than three hundred spectators. The pupils’ message was “a child’s place is not in armed forces or groups and those who use them are committing war crimes”. These pupils from the capital also wanted to show their solidarity with the children in the east of the country who are often used as soldiers. For the occasion, the ICC outreach unit invited two Congolese artists: Monik Tenday and Jean Goubald, who is well-known in Kinshasa for his song condemning the use of child soldiers. Jean Shaka Tshipamba, a well-known actor, also gave a performance depicting the relationship between a commander and a child soldier.

At the close of the cultural event, teachers and pupils thanked the Court and are looking forward to the next instalment of the campaign. Further activities are planned for the rest of the school year, particularly for the celebration of the Day of the African Child on 16 June. Finally, outreach unit staff provided the schools with the necessary material to inform their pupils about issues relating to child soldiers and the fight against impunity.

For more information, please contact Patrick Tshibuyi, Information and Outreach Assistant + 243 99 80 11 416