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SOUTH EAST ASIA: CHILD SOLDIERS


INDONESIA:

Under-18s are not formally recruited into government armed forces, but are reportedly used as informants, cooks, messengers and in other non-combatant roles in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province.
Children were reportedly used by the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Government forces targeted suspected child members of GAM and some were reportedly killed.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: signed September 2001

MYANMAR:

Thousands of children are in government armed forces, some forcibly recruited. Aged between 12 and 18, they are forced to fight and subjected to harsh living conditions and beatings. Several thousand child soldiers are also used by armed political groups.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: not signed

PHILIPPINES:

Child soldiers are used by rebel groups. Some who surrendered or were rescued from such groups may have been used as informants and spies. Children were also reportedly used by government-linked paramilitaries. Legislation is in force to protect children from military recruitment.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: ratified August 2003

INTRODUCTION / AMERICAS AND EUROPE / SOUTH ASIA/ SOUTH EAST ASIA / CENTRAL ASIA / MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA / WEST AFRICA / CENTRAL AFRICA / EAST AFRICA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA



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Last updated:Mon Dec 7 15:05:03 2009