Conflicts make more child soldiers, says UNICEF

“While governments of the world have made progress to recognize children have no place in their armies, the recruitment of child soldiers is still a huge problem, especially with armed groups,” said Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in comments marking International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers. […]

“While governments of the world have made progress to recognize children have no place in their armies, the recruitment of child soldiers is still a huge problem, especially with armed groups,” said Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in comments marking International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers.
“Out of 59 parties to conflict identified by the Secretary-General for grave violations against children, 57 are named because they are recruiting and using child soldiers.”
UNICEF urged urgent action to end grave violations against children including their recruitment and use by armed groups.
“The release of all children from armed groups must take place without delay. We cannot wait for peace to help children caught in the midst of war,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt.
“Investing in ways to keep children away from the frontlines, including through education and economic support, is absolutely critical to their future and the future of their societies.”
Armed conflict in the northeast of Nigeria throughout last year was “one of the world’s deadliest for chlidren,” said UNICEF.
It spoke of dramatic rise in violence and “growing recruitment and use of children, sometimes very young.”
It said tens of thousands of boys and girls are associated with armed forces and armed groups in conflicts in over 20 countries around the world.
They include places like Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq and Syria.
Many have been victims of, witness to and forced participants in acts of unspeakable brutality, the Fund said.