Children and Armed Conflict
Thousands of children are serving as soldiers in armed conflicts around the world or are currently detained as national security threats, often for alleged association with so-called “terrorist” or violent extremist groups. These boys and girls, some as young as 8 years old, serve in government forces and armed opposition groups. They may fight on the front lines, participate in suicide missions, and act as spies, messengers, or lookouts. Girls may be forced into sexual slavery. Many are abducted or recruited by force, while others join out of desperation, believing that armed groups offer their best chance for survival. We are working to prevent the use of child soldiers and to hold accountable the people who send children to fight.
Videos
Videos-
-
Northwest Syria: Government Uses Cluster Munitions
Syrian, Russia Forces Also Use Incendiary Weapons
-
Hamas, Islamic Jihad: Holding Hostages is a War Crime
Free Civilians Held in Gaza; Treat All Humanely; Don’t Use as Human Shields
-
West Bank: Spike in Israeli Killings of Palestinian Children
End Systematic Impunity for Unlawful Lethal Force
News
-
-
-
-
Ukraine: War’s Toll on Schools, Children’s Future
Damage from Military Use of Schools, Bombing, Shelling, Looting
-
Northwest Syria: Government Uses Cluster Munitions
Syrian, Russia Forces Also Use Incendiary Weapons
-
-
Hamas, Islamic Jihad: Holding Hostages is a War Crime
Free Civilians Held in Gaza; Treat All Humanely; Don’t Use as Human Shields
-
-
West Bank: Spike in Israeli Killings of Palestinian Children
End Systematic Impunity for Unlawful Lethal Force
-
-
UN Chief’s ‘List of Shame’ Adds Russia, Omits Israel
Mixed Message Sent About Abuses Against Children in Armed Conflict
-
