GENEVA, New York (11 February 2022) – The UN Child Rights Committee and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, today jointly call on Member States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC), to commit to ending and preventing the recruitment of children in their armed forces and to criminalize the recruitment and use of children. They suffer from being orphaned, raped, maimed and manipulated to give expression to the hatred of adults.2 Many have lost their families, as well as education opportunities, a chance to enjoy their childhood, and to be part of a community.International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers 12 February 2022 During armed conflicts, many children are forced to witness or to take part in horrifying acts of violence. Some are used by their commanders as frontline combatants, while others carry out support functions. Children as young as eight are drawn into violence for a variety of reasons. The diversity of armed groups and the widespread and easy availability of small arms and light weapons have led to the recruitment and use of hundreds of thousands of child soldiers around the world. In modern day warfare, children, both girls and boys, are increasingly becoming the subject of military recruitment, targeted attacks, and sexual violence. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report for the Children of Sierra Leone Tortured, mutilated, beaten, enslaved and forced to commit terrible crimes.” What we saw, what we heard, what we did, and how itĬhanged our lives, is beyond measure. “How can we tell what happened to us? There are no words to describe what
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