BURUNDI

CRC OPTIONAL PROTOCOL (ARMED CONFLICT)

RESERVATIONS AND DECLARATIONS

(Unless otherwise indicated, the reservations and declarations were made upon ratification, accession or succession)

Declaration:

With regard to Article 3 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Government of the Republic of Burundi declares that the minimum age at which it permits voluntary recruitment into its national defence forces is eighteen (18) years (cf. article 1 of Act no. 67-8 of 30 October 1963 on recruitment in the Republic of Burundi).

The Government of the Republic of Burundi further notes that it has adopted the following safeguards to ensure that such recruitment is neither forced nor coerced:

(a) Recruitment into the national defence forces and the national police of Burundi is initiated through announcements in the national media for young men and women;

(b) Prospective recruits are required to provide, inter alia, a birth certificate, proof of school attendance, and/or apprenticeship certificate;

(c) The enlistment ceremony for young people is conducted in public, at a sports field or other similar venue;

(d) All recruits undergo a thorough medical examination.