International experts called on Thursday for ending the recruitment of child soldiers in conflict zones and banning their exploitation for political gains, sexual blackmail and drug smuggling.
The call was made during a virtual panel discussion held by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) on “Child Soldiers are Victims, Not Soldiers” on the occasion of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.
“Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to this phenomenon through its engagements with international partners and nongovernmental organizations to protect children and reintegrate them into society,” said Supervisor General of KSRelief, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah.
He said the recruitment of children is becoming a big challenge for the international community, and is affecting children not only in conflict zones, but beyond.
“We should know why those children were recruited and then work on preventing the start of this phenomena during conflicts,” Al Rabeeah said, adding that this issue cannot be handled by one organization.
“It is the duty of the whole international community, including the UN and its agencies,” he noted, while highlighting the plight of child soldiers in Yemen.
The panel discussion was attended by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, international organizations and local and international professionals. The discussion was divided into two sessions to raise awareness about child recruitment and the importance of highlighting this illegal practice, internationally and in the media, and strengthening cooperation between interested and working parties in protecting children from recruitment and rehabilitating former child soldiers.
