The envoy expressed concern over impunity for violators

Radhika Kumaraswamy, Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict noted the ongoing impunity for those persistent violators of UN treaties that ban using children for combat.

The special envoy made the remarks addressing the Security Council debate on the issue on Tuesday.

'58 offenders'

At least 58 parties, certain governments and rebels, are known to be offenders of international norms protecting children, Ms. Coomaraswamy said.

She called on the Council to establish a mechanism that reviews and oversees targeted measures against violators.

From the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Myanmar and from Sri Lanka to Uganda, parties to armed conflicts kill, maim, abduct or sexually assault children; deny humanitarian access to children in need; and recruit and use child soldiers UN statement

"From the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Myanmar and from Sri Lanka to Uganda, parties to armed conflicts kill, maim, abduct or sexually assault children; deny humanitarian access to children in need; and recruit and use child soldiers," a statement by the UN said.

Ms. Coomaraswamy urged several tough measures against the culprits.

"Measures could include the imposition of travel restrictions on leaders and their exclusion from any governance structures and amnesty provisions, the imposition of arms embargoes, a ban on military assistance, and restriction on the flow of financial resources to the parties concerned," the envoy was quoted as saying.

The UN and many other international rights organisations have accused Tamil Tigers and breakaway LTTE faction, known as TMVP or Karuna faction, of forcibly recruiting children for armed conflict.

The Sri Lankan government is accused of collaborating with the Karuna faction in its war against the LTTE.