GENEVA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called for a stop in crimes against children in war on Tuesday.

    "The effect of war on children is devastating," said Kristin Barstad, the ICRC's adviser on children in war at a press conference in Geneva.

    To commemorate Universal Children's Day on Nov. 20, the ICRC urged conflict parties to fully respect existing international humanitarian and human rights law in order to enhance protection for the estimated 1 billion children affected by armed conflict worldwide.

    Barstad said the ICRC's messages were "International humanitarian law does protect children and it applies to all countries. All parties must respect it and those who do not must be held accountable."

    In 2008, the ICRC registered more than 2,000 children separated from their families and 800 reunited with their families. The majority of these children were in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the ICRC has an office.

    "Let us speak the voice of those who suffer in silence. And keep in mind the fact that suffering lasts long after the war has ended," Barstad added.

    The call marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

    The Geneva-based ICRC was founded in 1863 and has offices in 80countries.