Section 23Sec./Art. 23

Release of Children Involved in Armed Conflict (CIAC). - The State shall take all feasible measures to ensure that children recruited or used in armed conflict are demobilized, dissociated or otherwise released from the government force or armed group.

For purposes of this Act, release activities shall be initiated independent of any negotiated peace agreements.

The State, through its concerned agencies, in coordination with other stakeholders shall have the following duties:

(a) Develop a child-specific release program. This release program should not make as a requirement the surrender of arms by CIAC;

(b) Monitor and document the status of CIAC who undergo either a formal or informal release process;

(c) Facilitate data and information sharing between government and nongovernment organizations to be informed and updated of the status of released CIAC and to assess and address their needs, with due regard to the right to privacy of CIAC, their security and safety, and considering the confidentiality of records;

(d) Mobilize and strengthen networks for referrals;

(e) Provide free legal assistance to released CIAC ensuring that the legal needs of the former CIAC will be addressed, such as the prohibition or stoppage of filing charges or dismissal of cases against CIAC as criminal or political offenders irrespective of their association with any-armed group or government force; and

(f) Ensure the formal release of CIAC through various approaches such as advocacy of concerned groups, through the Government Peace Negotiating Panel (GPNP), and others: Provided, That in any release action, the best interest of the child shall be observed.