Developments in Colombia
The Government of Colombia, through the Colombian Family Welfare Institute, has carried out programmatic efforts to prevent the recruitment of children and reintegrate children into their communities. To-date, the Government's efforts have benefited 3,326 children previously associated with illegal armed groups. (para 113) The Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) continues to recruit and use children. Cases have been reported in the Departments of Cauca, Antioquia, Sucre, Bolivar, Cundinamarca, Guaviare, Meta and Nariño. In Corinto, Cauca department, members of the FARC frequently visit schools to persuade children to join their ranks. Further, despite current talks between the Government and the Ejercito de Liberación Nacional (ELN), and demands by the National Council for Peace that the ELN cease recruitment and release all children from its ranks immediately, this group also continues to recruit children.
Children have been used by government armed forces for intelligence purposes despite official government policy to the contrary. The Colombian Ministry of Defence issued Directive 30743 on 6 March 2007, prohibiting all members of the armed forces from utilising children for intelligence activities, especially children recovered from illegal armed groups. The Defensoría del Pueblo continues to report children being kept for unauthorized periods in police stations, army battalions or judicial police premises.
There are increasing concerns about reported violations and abuses committed against children by new organised illegal armed groups. These groups, such as the Aguilas Negras, Manos Negras, Organización Nueva Generación (ONG) or the Rastrojos are largely involved in criminal activities related especially to drug trafficking. The Government considers these groups as criminal gangs. In June 2007, Aguilas Negras was reported to have coerced children to join their ranks in Cartagena and Bolivar department. Further, the two illegal armed groups outside the demobilization process listed in the Secretary General's report last year (S/2006/826), Autodefensas Campesinas del Casanare and Frente Cacique Pipinta, have only been partially demobilized, and it is believed that children are still present in these groups. The gravity of the reported violations by these groups is very real and calls for serious efforts to enhance the protection of children.
Positive efforts have been made by the Government in the demobilisation of combatants from the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC). According to official figures, 63 children have been demobilized from the AUC in 2006, compared to 17,581 adults. These children, however, were not formally handed over as per the requirements of the collective demobilization process, and there are concerns that a number of children have been missed-out in this process. There are reports that rape and other sexual violence and exploitation continue to be perpetrated by illegal armed groups and some members of the State forces. OHCHR reported that FARC-EP committed forced abortions and other degrading treatment against young girls in their ranks. There have been some reports of schools being occupied by illegal armed groups. Landmines and abandoned explosive ordnance are often left behind once the illegal armed groups retreat from their occupation of these facilities.
Parties in Colombia
- Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN)
- Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP)
- Illegal armed groups not participating in the demobilization process
- Autodefensas Campesinas del Casanare
- Frente Cacique Pipinta
This party has also been responsible for abductions and committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children in the reporting period.
This party has also been responsible for abductions and committing rape and other grave sexual violence against children in the reporting period.
* Information based on the 2007 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/62/609-S/2007/757) issued on 21 December 2007