New York, 10 April 2007 - Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict will be visiting Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel from 10 to 19 April 2007.
The visit is in response to the invitation of the Governments concerned with regard to the annual Secretary-General report concerning CAAC (A/61/529-S/2006/826) and the plight of children in the conflict prevailing in the Middle East.
The objective of this field visit is to ascertain first hand the situation of children with a view to collaborating with all the stakeholders to ensure greater protection for children in the region. The UN Special Representative will have a constructive dialogue with the Governments, members of the civil society, NGOs and children affected by conflict, in the effort to address grave violations against children.
Media Advisory
Beirut - Contacts : Mr. Nabil Abu-Dargham (UNIC OIC, 961-3-428438, dargham@un.org) and Ms. Pascale El-Kassis (Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, 961-3-295255, elkassis@un.org).
Jerusalem - Contact : Marixie Mercado, UNICEF Jerusalem - Cell: +972 547787604 - mmercado@unicef.org
New York- Contact: Laurence Gérard, Office of the Special Representative for Children & Armed Conflict. Office: +1212-963-0984 - Cell: +1347-967-8606- gerarl@un.org - (travelling with Ms. Coomarasawamy)