Child Soldiers Ratification Campaign

Yemen

Although Yemen's laws specify 18 as the minimum recruitment age, underage recruitment is common. The conscription system is quite disorganised and birth registration is irregular; joining the army is highly sought after since other employment opportunities are extremely limited. Children are believed to be widely involved in tribal conflicts and feuds. Children in the Yemeni countryside can be seen carrying weapons and guarding Qat (a mild narcotic) fields. Yemen has a strong record of ratifying international conventions, including ILO Convention 182, but has not yet signed the Optional Protocol.

Contact details:

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Qa'a Ul-Ulofi
Sana'a
Republic of Yemen

cc Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Fax: 41 22 345 57 33 /
Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Fax: 212 750 9613

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