UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT TO VISIT RUSSIAN FEDERATION, INCLUDING NORTHERN CAUCASUS

UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT TO VISIT

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, INCLUDING NORTHERN CAUCASUS

Olara A. Otunnu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, will visit the Russian Federation, including the Northern Caucasus from 16 to 24 June, in the context of his mandate to promote the protection, rights, and well-being of children affected by war.  In particular, he will assess first-hand and seek to focus attention on the situation of children affected by the conflict in Chechnya.  Mr Otunnu will visit Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, including Nazran and Grozny, where he plans to meet with senior officials, children living in camps and settlements, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and community leaders, among others.

The Special Representative serves as international advocate for children affected by armed conflict by promoting standards and measures for their protection in times of war as well as their healing and social reintegration in the aftermath of conflict.

For further information from the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC), please contact:  Maimouna Mills, Communications Officer.  Telephone: 212–963 9879; facsimile: 212–963 0807; e-mail: mills@un.org.

* *** *