By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 3 (Reuters) Madeleine had nearly finished primary school when she was forced to join the Mai-Mai militia group as a soldier in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- she was 11-years-old.

After two years fighting on the frontlines and witnessing the rape and sexual slavery of girls, Madeleine escaped. yesterday she asked the world to recognize the crimes committed against the girl soldiers in Congo.

''We have been forgotten by those people who should have rendered justice regarding the sexual exploitation that we suffered, which amounts to sex slavery,'' said Madeleine, whose surname was withheld for security reasons.

''We regret that the International Criminal Court has so far not taken into account this aspect, which would help ease our pain,'' the 15-year-old told a ''Girls Speak Out'' forum at the United Nations in New York.

Congo -- rich in gold, diamonds and timber -- was the battleground for rebels, local factions, tribes and several neighboring countries in a 1998-2003 war in which 4 million people died, many from hunger and disease.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court ruled last month there was enough evidence against Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese militia leader accused of conscripting children for war, to launch its first trial.

But human rights groups criticized the court for only indicting one person and said the charges should have been expanded to include killings, rape and torture.

''What happened to us is not our fault. We were victims of selfish interests and in that sense everybody is guilty -- our own communities as well as the international community,'' said Madeleine, who broke down in tears and was given a standing ovation for her address.

''We regret we were forgotten by those who should have helped us,'' she told the forum, held as part of the 51st session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which is focusing on ending discrimination and violence against girls.

Some 6,000 women from around the world are attending.

Madeleine is now back at school and involved in helping other girl soldiers re-integrate into the community.

She said up to 30 percent of the children recruited as soldiers -- and sexual slaves -- in the Democratic Republic of Congo were girls aged 12 and 15.

''Between 70 and 80 percent of us were demobilized with babies and they're children that are undesirable for the world, without speaking of the diseases that we acquired,'' she said.

''I ask myself what is our future after being demobilized. The world should ask forgiveness for this irreparable crime.'' REUTERS PDM HT0955