Democratic Republic of the Congo
Practice Relating to Rule 131. Treatment of Displaced Persons
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Law on Child Protection (2009) states:
Article 41
A displaced or refugee child, or a child seeking to obtain refugee status, whether accompanied or not by his parents, a close relative or any other person, is entitled to protection, support and humanitarian assistance.
The State shall ensure the exercise of his rights.
The Law also states:
Article 2
For the purpose of the present law, it is understood as:
1. child: every person under the age of 18;
2. displaced child: a child, non-accompanied by his or her parents or guardian, who was forced to leave his home environment as a result of war, natural disasters or other serious events, and settled elsewhere within the country where he resides;
3. refugee child: a child who was forced to flee his country by crossing an international border, and who claims refugee status or any other form of international protection.