Human rights abuses against children are rampant in the Central African Republic (CAR). Children are being raped and recruited into armed forces, says Ban Ki Moon.

Rebel groups and bandits are kidnapping children to use them in their militia's or to threaten the population. These abuses are committed in a climate of impunity, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a report on children and armed conflict in CAR.

"I call on all parties to the conflict to immediately and without precondition cease the recruitment and use of children," Ban says, adding that the government should investigate and prosecute the abuses.

Children are particularly targeted by various armed groups in the Central African Republic, which has been plagued by a state of permanent rebellion for years. Attacks on and the burning of villages by armed groups have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians including children.

"This has provoked massive displacement of the population. Thousands of people have fled to forest hideouts where they lack even the most basic means for survival," ban writes. It is estimated that children account for half of the internally displaced population.

Despite various peace agreements, the situation has worsened by a spill-over from the conflicts in neighbouring Chad, Sudan's Darfur region and Uganda. Rapes and abductions by the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have also been reported during its incursions into CAR.

In addition to violations committed by rebel groups, the national armed forces, particularly the presidential guard, have also been responsible for widespread human rights abuses, Ban says.