Red Hands Displayed Around the World as Child Soldiers Treaty Takes Effect

On February 12, events in more than twenty countries marked the entry into force of a new international treaty prohibiting the use of children in armed conflict. In Geneva, thousands of red hands, the logo of the 'Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers', were planted symbolically in the grounds of the United Nations Palais des Nations to draw attention to more than 300,000 child soldiers still fighting in today's armed conflicts and wars.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, joined children and campaigners at the Geneva event. "We are urging all governments and armed groups to end the military recruitment of children under 18 and to release and rehabilitate those children already in service," said Mrs. Robinson. "There can no longer be any excuses for arming children to fight adult's wars."

In Washington DC, members of the US Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers displayed giant red hands on the steps of the US Capitol, and called on the US Senate to quickly ratify the treaty. Senator Barbara Boxer addressed the group, announcing that on February 26, she would chair a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the treaty.

"This day is an important milestone for human rights and for all of the world's children," said Senator Boxer. "I look forward to the United States joining this important effort soon and I will do all that I can to make that happen."

Similar campaign events to mark the occasion were organized by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers in Bangladesh, Belgium, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uganda, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers estimates that 300,000 children under the age of eighteen are actively participating in conflicts in more than 35 countries. The most affected countries include Afghanistan, Angola, Burma, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Sri Lanka.

Human Rights Watch is a founding member of the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, and the US Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.