A/HRC/12/49 page 8 affected by armed conflict, as well as garnered several key commitments by relevant stakeholders, including the Government, non-State actors and the United Nations and partners, for the protection of children as reflected in international humanitarian and human rights instruments. These visits also serve to highlight national efforts to advance child rights concerns in armed conflict. 22. As an independent moral voice and high-level advocate, the Special Representative has engaged in child protection dialogue with all parties to conflict, including non-State actors, without prejudice to their political or legal status and with the consent of the Member States concerned. For example, during her mission to the Central African Republic in May 2008, the Special Representative engaged in discussions with the Armée populaire pour la restauration de la République et de la démocratie (APRD), securing their commitment to release all children associated with their forces. On 7 July 2009, APRD followed through and released all 182 children, who were between the ages of 10 and 17, to UNICEF. Almost all these children have been reunited with their families. The dialogue with such actors, with the approval of and facilitation by the Governments concerned, is essential if not critical on humanitarian grounds, to ensuring the release of children. 23. In 2008 and the first half of 2009, the Special Representative carried out nine field missions, including to Iraq (April 2008), Chad and the Central African Republic (May 2008), Afghanistan (June 2008), Nepal and the Philippines (December 2008), the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel (February 2009) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (April 2009). Some of the more important commitments received from Governments and other parties to conflict during these missions are included below. The critical challenge is to ensure timely follow-up and adherence to commitments made and their practical implementation, in order to bring about concrete results for the protection of children on the ground. It is therefore important for the Human Rights Council and the broader international and human rights community to join in monitoring these undertakings to ensure that parties to conflict honour their commitments. Iraq 24. The Government of Iraq and the multinational forces in Iraq committed to abide by international humanitarian law and international juvenile justice standards with regard to children in detention. Chad and the Central African Republic 25. The Government of Chad committed to allow verification by United Nations teams of detention centres, training camps and military facilities; release as a matter of priority children associated with armed groups held in detention; and establish an inter-ministerial task force to coordinate and ensure effective reintegration of children. 26. The leader of APRD, Laurent Djim Wei, committed to prepare a list and release all children in his armed group as soon as proper arrangements are made for their protection and reintegration into communities.