By Cintia Garcia
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA—The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC) has released the first group of child soldiers in accordance to the peace accord signed last month. A total of 13 children were released on Saturday. The FARC claims to have 21 child soldiers in its ranks under the age of fifteen.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) received the child soldiers and gave them mental and physical evaluations. Of the 13 children, eight of them have been handed over to UNICEF Colombia—the remaining five will also be given to UNICEF. The privacy of the children, including their identity, have been kept under discretion in order to successfully complete the mission. The ICRC stated that, “The girls and boys were received in establishments suitable for the process of reestablishment of their rights so that they are able to develop in the best conditions possible.” The ICRC confirmed that the ultimate goal in the process is reunification with their families. The Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, Sergio Jaramillo, stated, “They are going to gradually leave the camps in different regions of the country. It’s not going to be all at once—it is a process and this the first phase.” According to the Secretary-General’s Special representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, confirmed that both the Government and FARC agreed on the details on Tuesday of the release and reintegration of the children in compliance with their best interest.
FARC has been known for forcing children to become soldiers, a human rights violation. In some cases, minors have been kidnapped while others have joined willingly. Colombian sources have claimed that half of all FARC members were recruited as children. The release of the child soldiers comes a month after the historic peace accord was reached in Havana, Cuba. In the course of the 52 year conflict between the Colombian government and FARC, 220,000 people have been killed.
For more information, please see:
BBC—Colombia Farc Rebels Hand Over Child Soldiers—11 September 2016.
CNN—Colombia’s Farc Rebels Release Child Soldiers in Potential Peace Deal—10 September 2016.
