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TherealityofColombiaschildsoldiers
Feb 17, 2015 posted by Rebecca Florey

(Photo: The Associated Press)

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ColombiasMinistry of Defense has begun new investigations into the recruitment of child
soldiers in the internal conflict that has waged for 50 years.

The probe comes in response to the rebel group FARCs announcement that they will no
longer recruit children under the age of 17 to fight in their guerrilla ranks.

FARC Bans Recruitment Of Child Soldiers

The FARC announcement has beenwelcomedby the government, which has been
negotiating the possibility of a peace deal with the rebels since late 2012.

Recruiting children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostile activities is a war
crime according to the International Criminal Court (ICC), while the United Nations sets 18 as
the minimum recruitment age for participation in an armed conflict.

Theextentoftheproblem
Figures differ between the Ministry of Defense, NGOs and other agencies on the numbers of
children involved in the war. While some argue that so far this century more than 5,000
children have been demobilized from illegal groups, the others suggest that more than 7,500
children were recruited between 1985 and 2014 by all participants in the war in which the
guerrillas, the military and state-aligned paramilitary groups were active.

According to the report released by the Ministry of Defense, 71% ofdemobilizedchildren and
adolescents admitted to participating in FARC units.

Of these children, the study shows that of the more than 5,000 children who have come
from groups outside the law, 70% are boys and 30% girls. According to military data bases,
47% of children demobilized were delivered to the National Army.

The national army has already demobilized 15 minorsin the course of 2015.

According to the latest report from the agency Allied Children, Social Development and
Research (Pandi), most of the 7722 children who were recruited between 1985 and 2014 were
linked to war before they were 14years old. Almost36% of them came from environments
with problems such as domestic violence.

The study also recognized that one of the populations most affected by recruitment by illegal
actors is indigenous groups who represent 3% of the total Colombian population. Children
from these groups make up 14% of those registered as demobilized FARC recruits.

In response to the results of this study, the director of the Colombian Institute of Family
Welfare (ICBF), Cristina Plazas, called on armed groups to put aside the recruitment of
children and respect the rights of minors.

The recruitment and use of children in war is a heinous crime. Men of illegal armed groups,
do not deny them the opportunity to live, Plazas said to the guerrillas.

Through its program of specialized care, the ICBF has recovered over 5,600 children from
these groups, of which 78% said they had been in actions that endangered their life.

Howarechildrenrecruited?
The wider perception about child soldiers assumes that all child soldiers were forced or
kidnapped.

However, statistics from a study conducted by Doctor Natalia Springer in 2012 suggest that
many children volunteer often as a result of economic or social pressures, or because they
believe the group will offer an income, food or security.

When we asked the children how they came to be part of the illegal group, the overwhelming
majority (81%) stated that their recruitment was voluntary. Only a fraction claimed to have
been forced (18%).

FARC systematically recruits child soldiers: Study

The study also assessed the reasons behind encouraging child soldiers. It suggested that
children may be better able to withstand the rigors of long walks, physical exertion, and poor
nutrition. They tend to have better visual range, better reflexes and get sick less often.

It suggested that children are also more easily manipulated, controlled and socialized out of
society.

The process against socialization concludes with the replacement of basic standards in moral
development: the good fighter does not cry, does not fraternize, does not question their own
motives, nor question the authority of a commander. The child will not ask for the impact of
pain caused by the effect of the violence involved in society, stated Natalia Springer.

The report claims that children may actively chose to become part of an illegal armed group
because they see a life with them that is better than what they have at home. Whether they are
poor, lack education, food or resources, or just yearn to be a part of a family, the illegal groups
offer something better for these children.

Sometimes the armed groups offer small rewards which raise interest among children in a
community. Girls, for example, reported receiving new underwear, skin creams and makeup;
benefits they would never receive at home.

The report emphasised that, for children, it is not money but respect and visibility. The
opportunity to be part of something bigger than their small village or the house they grew up in
is irresistible to some.

This report highlights broader problems within society. Both the FARC and the government
have recognised that recruiting child soldiers is wrong. However, there appear to be
underlying issues aside from the conflict which are affecting childrens lives to the extent that
they would volunteer to be a child soldier.

Sources
Como Corderos Entre Lobos
La realidad oculta de los nios reclutados (El Espectador)
Child Soldiers International:International Standards

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armed conflict child soldiers children FARC War Crimes

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