| | |
|
| |
|
|
Mozambique Mozambique: Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Mozambique supported a "straight-18" ban on military recruitment during negotiations on the Optional Protocol. Mozambican law allows conscription from the age of 18 but this age limit may be lowered during times of war. Many thousands of children were used as soldiers in the past war between Frelimo and Renamo. There are concerns that former child soldiers, now of draft age, may be liable for compulsory military service again. June 12, 2001 Mozambique: Landmine Monitor Report 2000 Key developments since March 1999: Mozambique hosted the First Meeting of States Parties in May 1999. It served as co-chair of the SCE on Mine Clearance. Mozambique introduced UNGA Resolution 54/54B, which was adopted in December 1999. In April 2000, work began on a national Level One Impact Survey. About five square kilometers of land was cleared in 1999, bringing the overall total to 194 square kilometers. Despite fears that the February and March 2000 floods would result in an increase in mine casualties, the number of mine casualties continued to decline, falling from 133 casualties in 1998 to 60 casualties in 1999. August 1, 2000 Children in Combat Throughout the world, thousands of children are used as soldiers in armed conflicts.1 Although international law forbids recruiting children under fifteen as soldiers, such young children may be found in government armies and, more commonly, in armed rebel groups. Armed forces, both governmental and non-governmental, often claim that the children in their camps are there for their own protection and welfare. In fact, however, the involvement of the children in the conflict puts them in grave danger and is detrimental to their physical and mental health and development. This report concerns the ways in which children are recruited, the possible reasons for their recruitment and participation, the roles children play in combat and in violence against civilians, and their treatment by the groups that recruit them. It does not deal with all of the countries in which child soldiers are used, but only with countries in which Human Rights Watch has investigated the practice. Legal standards for the prevention of the recruitment of children and problems in applying and enforcing them are covered as well. January 1, 1996 Download PDF, 219 KB, 26 pgs Printer friendly version Landmines in Mozambique In spite of the peace accord signed in October 1992 between government forces and RENAMO rebels, innocent civilians are maimed and killed by landmines in Mozambique on a daily basis. To date, these weapons have claimed more than 10,000 victims — mostly civilians — and the casualty toll could increase rapidly as millions of refugees and displaced people return home to roads and fields littered with mines. Landmines were used in violation of international law by government troops, RENAMO rebels, and various foreign forces. In some instances, civilians were directly targeted; often the mines were scattered in an indiscriminate and random fashion, terrorizing local communities. The devastation caused by landmines in Mozambique — not only for the many civilian victims, but also to the socioeconomic well-being of the nation — is appalling. Clearance of mines could take decades, but so far, little has been done. Landmines in Mozambique is part of a series of reports by Human Rights Watch that document the effects on the civilian population of landmines used in armed conflicts. Human Rights Watch calls for an international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of antipersonnel landmines as the only way to address this global human rights, humanitarian and ecological disaster. HRW Index No.: 1-56432-121-5 March 1, 1994 Conspicuous Destruction: War, Famine and the Reform Process in Mozambique Addressing two sets of concerns, this report covers both the abuses relating to the seventeen years of war between the Mozambique Armed Forces and the rebel Mozambique National Resistance, as well as the reforms instigated by the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front under President Joachim Chissano. Africa Watch evaluates the progress made by the Liberation Front government toward a democratic system of government that respects civil and political rights. The 1990 Constitution and related legislation are the centerpiece of this transition, and represent the most wholehearted attempt to build an institutional and legal framework to guarantee respect for human rights so far attempted in the history of Mozambique. Major concerns remain, however, relating to the ability of the government to implement the promised changes. HRW Index No.: ISBN 1-56432-079-0 July 1, 1992
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Contribute to Human Rights Watch
Home | About Us | News Releases | Publications | Info by Country | Global Issues | Campaigns | Community | Store | Film Festival | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | Press Contacts | Privacy Policy © Copyright 2006, Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA |
