Isolda Agazzi/InfoSud – Conflicts are changing and the line between civilians and the military are becoming more blurred - especially in the war against terrorism - and children are the first to pay the cost. This in sum is the alarm sounded by Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary General’s Special Representatives for Children and Armed Conflict, before the Geneva Human Rights Council.

“During my visits to Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine, I always noticed that more children were involved in military activities, including that of suicide bombs” she noted, adding that “many minors are in military detention or the victim of collateral damage. And it’s not only in these countries but also in many others that are facing what is known a problem of terrorism. It is imperative to respect the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law on the separation between civilians and combatants and the law of proportionality.”

Security Council resolution 1612

“I have always fought for human rights but as the Secretary General’s special representative I also work with the Security Council. It is a more political and diplomatic activity, a big challenge” Coomaraswamy confided to HRT outside the Council meeting.

It is a challenge that is beginning to bear fruit. Especially since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1612, in 2005, which foresees the possibility of adopting targeted measures against those who violate children’s rights. “I just finished a mission in the Central African Republic where I met Commander Laurent of the APRD rebel forces. He was unaware that he was in the annex of the Secretary General’s report but when I explained the consequences of resolution 1612, he agreed to free the children. UNICEF informed me last week that he has freed 250", Coomaraswamy told the Council.

Similarly in the Ivory Coast -where all armed groups have agreed to free the children- and in Sudan: several war lords have inquired extensively about the case of Thomas Lubanga and some agreed to liberate the children under the plan of action outlined in resolution 1612. Thomas Lubanga was a warlord in DRC in the case of whom the Special representative filed a legal argument as amicus curiae before the International Criminal Court.

“These procedures are long and tedious, but sometimes it works. We should not underestimate the power of deterrence of these kind of juridical machinery,” added Coomaraswamy.

Non-State groups

It’s not so much states that recruit child soldiers but rather rebels and paramilitary forces. Radhika Coomaraswamy estimates that there are between 250 to 300 thousand child soldiers although it is very difficult to get exact figures. Recruited and used by non-state armed groups in 14 countries with the notable exception of Myanmar, Sudan and Uganda where the regular armies also do.

These figures on countries and armed factions diverge from those furnished by other sources, such as the last report by the Coalition on Child Soldiers which enumerates many more. But the Office of the Special Representative depends on the United Nations and before it denounces a case it must receive the approval of the UN Country Team –which does not however diminish the reliability of the information furnished by NGOs.

Translated from French by Pamela Taylor