Developments in Colombia

The information below is based on the 2009 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/63/785-S/2009/158) issued on 26 March 2009. More information is available in the report.

The Government of Colombia adopted a comprehensive policy to prevent the recruitment and use of children by illegal armed groups, including the creation of a high-level intersectorial commission in December 2007, aimed at reducing the risks of recruitment of and violence against children. The Government also continues to carry out programmatic efforts to reintegrate children separated from illegal armed groups into their communities.

Information has been received on the recruitment and use of children by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), as well as by the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN). Both are reported to be recruiting from schools.

Recruitment frequently leads to the displacement of affected populations in order to avoid the recruitment of their children.

Recruitment is also a common practice of armed groups that emerged after demobilization. In March 2008, the recruitment of children by Autodefensas Campesinas Nueva Generación (AC-NG) was confirmed in the Nariño department. The United Nations has collected several testimonies from children and adolescents separated from the former Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, in which they report having been contacted to join these armed groups.

According to information from the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), a total of 402 children separated from FARC-EP, 86 from ELN and 1 from the Ejército Popular Revolucionario (EPR) during the reporting period. ICBF also reported that a total of 44 children separated from armed groups such as AC-NG and Ejército Revolucionario Popular Antiterrorista de Colombia (ERPAC), and other armed elements such as the Aguilas Negras, Rastrojos and the Cooperativa de Seguridad de Meta y Vichada. The Government considers these groups as criminal gangs largely involved in criminal activities related especially to drug trafficking. Children are still assumed to be present in these groups.

According to the Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, 391 children were released by AUC within the demobilization framework under the Justice and Peace Law from 2002 to 2006. Approximately 432 children separated individually, outside the negotiations with AUC, although credible information indicates many more children associated with AUC did not undergo the formal demobilization process.

The United Nations received credible information regarding the use of children by some members of the security forces for intelligence purposes despite Government policy to the contrary. Three directives have been issued by the Ministry of Defence prohibiting this practice, in accordance with the national law on childhood and adolescence.

Children are victims of indiscriminate attacks by illegal armed groups or are often caught in crossfire in clashes between illegal armed groups and national armed forces.

Credible information on cases of extrajudicial executions of children was gathered by the United Nations. The Ministry of Defence has issued three specific directives and established a transitory commission in October, to investigate cases of extrajudicial executions, which has resulted in the dismissal of 37 military officers as of January 2009.

According to Constitutional Court order No. 092 of April 2008, the impact of sexual violence against girls has increased. Perpetrators include illegal armed groups and members of the Armed Forces. The Attorney General's office has initiated investigations, and there have been a number of convictions as of December 2008.

During the reporting period illegal armed groups continued to attack or occupy schools for military purposes and target teachers. Schools are also often damaged as a result of military clashes between illegal armed groups and the Armed Forces.

Parties responsible for recruitment and use of children

1.  Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN):* this party has also been responsible for killing and maiming, committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children and attacks on schools in the reporting period.

2.  Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP):* this party has also been responsible for killing and maiming, abductions, committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children and attacks on schools in the reporting period.

Parties marked with an asterisk (*) have been on the annex lists for a minimum of four years.