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HRW ACCUSES SYRIAN OPPOSITION OF USING YOUNG BOYS IN BATTLES
November 29, 2012 - 17:04 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Human Rights Watch accused the Syrian opposition
of using young boys to serve as fighters, guards and lookouts in the
brutal conflict with regime forces, AFP reported.
"Children as young as 14 have served in at least three opposition
brigades, transporting weapons and supplies and acting as lookouts,"
the New York-based watchdog said. "Children as young as 16 have carried
arms and taken combat roles against government forces." It called on
rebel commanders to make public commitments to end this practice and
to forbid anyone under 18 from serving in military roles, regardless
of whether they volunteer.
"All eyes are on the Syrian opposition to prove they're trying to
protect children from bullets and bombs, rather than placing them
in danger," said Priyanka Motaparthy, children's rights researcher
at Human Rights Watch. HRW interviewed five boys between 14 and
16 who said they had worked with the armed opposition. "Majid," a
16-year-old boy from Homs, told HRW that he received combat training
and had participated in missions in Syria along with his older brother.
At least 17 children have been killed while fighting alongside the FSA,
according to the Syria Violations Documenting Center, an opposition
monitoring group. Many others have been severely wounded and some
permanently disabled.
In August, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria issued a report in
which it expressed concern over reports of children under 18 fighting
and performing auxiliary roles for opposition groups.
From: Baghdasarian
November 29, 2012 - 17:04 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Human Rights Watch accused the Syrian opposition
of using young boys to serve as fighters, guards and lookouts in the
brutal conflict with regime forces, AFP reported.
"Children as young as 14 have served in at least three opposition
brigades, transporting weapons and supplies and acting as lookouts,"
the New York-based watchdog said. "Children as young as 16 have carried
arms and taken combat roles against government forces." It called on
rebel commanders to make public commitments to end this practice and
to forbid anyone under 18 from serving in military roles, regardless
of whether they volunteer.
"All eyes are on the Syrian opposition to prove they're trying to
protect children from bullets and bombs, rather than placing them
in danger," said Priyanka Motaparthy, children's rights researcher
at Human Rights Watch. HRW interviewed five boys between 14 and
16 who said they had worked with the armed opposition. "Majid," a
16-year-old boy from Homs, told HRW that he received combat training
and had participated in missions in Syria along with his older brother.
At least 17 children have been killed while fighting alongside the FSA,
according to the Syria Violations Documenting Center, an opposition
monitoring group. Many others have been severely wounded and some
permanently disabled.
In August, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria issued a report in
which it expressed concern over reports of children under 18 fighting
and performing auxiliary roles for opposition groups.
From: Baghdasarian