2ND LEAD (Correction)

UN envoy arrives to study plight of children

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 November 2006, 15:55 GMT]
Ambassador Allan Rock, special representative of United Nations arrived in Colombo on the invitation of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) on Tuesday morning, Office of the United Nations in Colombo said. Ambassador Rock represents Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Under Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, and will study the plight of children affected by war in Sri Lanka, the UN officials added.

He is expected to meet representatives of GOSL, the Liberation Tigers and other Human Rights organizations during his stay.

Ambassador Rock is scheduled to travel to Kilinochchi Thursday.

Amb. Rock will be in Sri Lanka until 14 November and will submit a report near the beginning of January on his findings to the Working Group of Children and Armed Conflict of the UN Security Council.

In addition to studying Children in Armed Conflict, Ambassador's mandate also includes,

• Hospitals and schools affected by war,
• Abduction and disappearances of children, and
• Sexual violations and exploitation of children,

UN officials in New York said. His study will cover the period from July 2005 till now, officials added.

Allan Rock is a lawyer and former Canadian politician and diplomat. He was Canada's ambassador to the United Nations (2004-2006) and had previously served in Canadian Cabinet as Minister of Health and Minister of Justice.

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About Allan Rock