Pakistan and Turkey accused of recruiting child soldiers

[OMB]

US adds Pakistan, Turkey to child soldier recruiter list


WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday added Pakistan and Turkey to its Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list, a designation that could lead to strict sanctions on military assistance and listed countries’ participation in peacekeeping programmes.

The designation is included in the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report (see page 49), which ranks countries in various tiers in accordance with their efforts for eliminating trafficking.

An excerpt from the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons report 2021. — Screengrab via TIP report 2021
The US Child Soldiers Prevention Act requires publication in the annual TIP report of a list of foreign governments that have recruited or used child soldiers during the previous year (April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021). The entities reviewed for this designation include armed forces, police, other security forces and government-supported armed groups.

The 2021 CSPA list includes governments of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela and Yemen.

Designation can elicit sanctions on military aid, country’s participation in peacekeeping missions

Three of these countries — Congo, Somalia, and Yemen — have appeared on every CSPA list since 2010, when the designation started. Nine others — Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Burma, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Syria — have appeared more than once over the last 10 years.

Six governments were identified on the first CSPA list in 2010.

Ten years later, the list more than doubled to 14 countries and to 15 in 2021 — the highest number of countries ever identified in a single year. This year’s list includes repeat offenders, two one new additions — Pakistan and Turkey — and some renewed appearances that were previously removed.

The statement, issued by the State Department in Washington, defines the term “child soldier” as: Any person under 18 years of age who takes a direct part in hostilities as a member of governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces.

Those compulsorily recruited into governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces are also included as are those under 15 years of age who have been voluntarily recruited into governmental armed forces, police or other security forces.

Any person under 18 years of age who has been recruited or used in hostilities by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state is also considered a child soldier.

The term “child soldier” is also applied to a person who is serving in any capacity, including in a support role, such as a “cook, porter, messenger, medic, guard, or sex slave”.

The CSPA prohibits listed governments in the following US programmes: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations. Some programmes undertaken pursuant to the Peacekeeping Operations authority are exempted.

The CSPA also prohibits the issuance of licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment to such governments.

Beginning October 1, 2021, and effective throughout fiscal year 2022, these restrictions will apply to the listed countries, except those who receive a presidential waiver, applicable exception, or reinstatement of assistance pursuant to the terms of the CSPA.

The determination to include a government in the CSPA list is informed by a range of sources, including first-hand observation by US government personnel and research and credible reporting from various UN entities, international organisations, local and international NGOs, and international and domestic media outlets.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1632676

 

[OMB]

Turkey rejects US report claiming link to child soldiers

Turkey’s foreign ministry has slammed a United States report on human trafficking that criticised Ankara for providing “operational, equipment, and financial support” to an armed militia in Syria that recruits child soldiers.

In a statement late on Friday, the Turkish foreign ministry said it “completely rejects” the claim and its record is clean.

The statement also accuses Washington of “double standards and hypocrisy” pointing to American support for Syrian Kurdish militants. It cites a United Nations report that documented child recruitment and exploitation under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Turkey says Syrian Kurdish militants that provided the backbone of the SDF fighting the militant Islamic State group were linked to Kurdish fighters who have been waging an insurgency against Turkey for more than three decades and are designated as terrorists. American support for them has been a major irritant in US-Turkish relations.

On Thursday, the US State Department highlighted Turkey and 14 other countries, including Pakistan, for the use of child soldiers. It was the first time a Nato ally was placed on such a list.

The designation could lead to strict sanctions on military assistance and listed countries’ participation in peacekeeping programmes.

The US Child Soldiers Prevention Act requires publication in the annual TIP report of a list of foreign governments that have recruited or used child soldiers during the previous year (April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021). The entities reviewed for this designation include armed forces, police, other security forces and government-supported armed groups.

The 2021 CSPA list includes the governments of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela and Yemen.

Pakistan rejects 'baseless inclusion'
The Foreign Office on Friday said the move depicted “a factual error and lack of understanding”, and urged Washington to review the “baseless assertions” made against the country in the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, 2021.

The FO in a statement said no state institution was consulted by the US prior to the publication of the report. “Nor were any details provided of the basis on which the conclusion was reached,” it added.

The statement emphasised that Pakistan neither supported any non-state armed group nor any entity recruiting or using child soldiers, saying “Pakistan’s efforts in fighting non-state armed groups including terrorist entities are well-recognised.”

It maintained that Pakistan was committed to fighting “this scourge — both at the national and international levels”.

“We have taken a range of legislative and administrative actions in that regard during the last one year, including approval of rules under the domestic Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Acts; National Action Plan 2021-25 prepared jointly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and enhancement of capacity-building and inter-agency cooperation of law-enforcement agencies involved in anti-human smuggling,” it added.

“Pakistan calls upon the authorities concerned in the United States to review the baseless assertions made in the TIP report, especially with regard to the unwarranted inclusion of Pakistan in the 'CSPA List',” the FO said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1632964/turkey-rejects-us-report-claiming-link-to-child-soldiers

 

[OMB]

Pakistan rejects its 'baseless inclusion' in US child soldier recruiter list, seeks review: FO


Reacting strongly to Pakistan’s inclusion in the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list by the United States, the Foreign Office on Friday said the move depicted “a factual error and lack of understanding”, and urged Washington to review the “baseless assertions” made against the country in the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, 2021.

The US added Pakistan and Turkey to the CSPA list on Thursday. The designation could lead to strict sanctions on military assistance and listed countries’ participation in peacekeeping programmes.

The US Child Soldiers Prevention Act requires publication in the annual TIP report of a list of foreign governments that have recruited or used child soldiers during the previous year (April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021). The entities reviewed for this designation include armed forces, police, other security forces and government-supported armed groups.

The 2021 CSPA list includes the governments of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela and Yemen.

Expressing displeasure on the US move, the FO in a statement today said no state institution was consulted by the US prior to the publication of the report. “Nor were any details provided of the basis on which the conclusion was reached,” it added.

The statement emphasised that Pakistan neither supported any non-state armed group nor any entity recruiting or using child soldiers, saying “Pakistan’s efforts in fighting non-state armed groups including terrorist entities are well-recognised.”

It maintained that Pakistan was committed to fighting “this scourge — both at the national and international levels”.

“We have taken a range of legislative and administrative actions in that regard during the last one year, including approval of rules under the domestic Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Acts; National Action Plan 2021-25 prepared jointly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and enhancement of capacity-building and inter-agency cooperation of law-enforcement agencies involved in anti-human smuggling,” the press release added.

It also highlighted that Pakistan had been voluntarily submitting information for the TIP report to the US government since 2007 and had actively worked on implementing practicable recommendations of these reports.

"Pakistan calls upon the authorities concerned in the United States to review the baseless assertions made in the TIP report, especially with regard to the unwarranted inclusion of Pakistan in the 'CSPA List'," the FO said.

“Pakistan also expects the sharing of 'credible information' on cases involving Trafficking in Persons as well as on allegations pertaining to support to armed groups using child soldiers.”

It stated that Pakistan’s views and perspective on the subject had been conveyed to the US authorities, while maintaining that “Pakistan will continue to remain engaged with the US government through bilateral channels for constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual interest.”

The CSPA prohibits listed governments in the following US programmes: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations. Some programmes undertaken pursuant to the Peacekeeping Operations authority are exempted.

The CSPA also prohibits the issuance of licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment to such governments.

A statement issued by the State Department in Washington defined the term “child soldier” as: Any person under 18 years of age who takes a direct part in hostilities as a member of governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces.

Any person under 18 years of age who has been recruited or used in hostilities by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state is also considered a child soldier.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1632801/pakistan-rejects-its-baseless-inclusion-in-us-child-soldier-recruiter-list-seeks-review-fo

 

[King-Misbah]

I think America has now lost its mind and will say anything to punish countries that do not follow its orders.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

More sanctions coming from Biden for Turkey and Pakistan?

 

[sweep_shot]

USA needs to understand that definition of child varies from country to country.

Also, what various countries do should be none of USA's business.

 

[Local.Dada]

USA needs to understand that definition of child varies from country to country.

Also, what various countries do should be none of USA's business.

Don’t think definition of child varies from country. May be definition of a youngster does.

Why shouldn’t it be US’s business if these child soldiers are brainwashed that US is the enemy and are used as weapons against them. It’s not like these elements or should I say **** who use kids as suicide bombers etc have not tried to attack USA in some way or the other before. Unbelievable you claim to be brought up in the states. Unless it is just your online persona, it is a scary thought.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

But it’s aight to fund terrorists for your proxy wars. The funny thing is America is guilty for most of the things they accuse other countries of doing.

 

[cricketjoshila]

USA needs to understand that definition of child varies from country to country.

Also, what various countries do should be none of USA's business.

But how US deals with any country, is USA's business. No?

 

[sweep_shot]

But how US deals with any country, is USA's business. No?

Just like India needs to stop meddling in Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Don’t think definition of child varies from country. May be definition of a youngster does.

Why shouldn’t it be US’s business if these child soldiers are brainwashed that US is the enemy and are used as weapons against them. It’s not like these elements or should I say **** who use kids as suicide bombers etc have not tried to attack USA in some way or the other before. Unbelievable you claim to be brought up in the states. Unless it is just your online persona, it is a scary thought.

Since when did Turkey attack US with suicide bombers?

 

[sweep_shot]

But it’s aight to fund terrorists for your proxy wars. The funny thing is America is guilty for most of the things they accuse other countries of doing.

Precisely.

CIA is a terrorist organization. This group has destabilized more countries than any other group in the world.

 

[Sycamore]

Hilarious.

America should look at themselves first of all.

They brainwash kids from an early age, the military actively recruits and preys on young kids while they are still at school by glorifying war, and painting innocent Muslims across the world as monsters.

 

[Giannis]

Yeah Pakistan and Afghanistan have "child soldiers" like Rashid Khan and Shahid Afridi

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

I don’t remember seeing any child soldiers in Pakistan

 

[cricketjoshila]

Just like India needs to stop meddling in Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

Let the Afghan and BD government say that. No?

 

[Giannis]

Let the Afghan and BD government say that. No?

He's literally bangladeshi

 

[cricketjoshila]

He's literally bangladeshi

So Sheikh Hasina and the BD govt has spoken about this?

 

[Zaz]

Usa should just shut up and mind its own god damn business

They are the last country on earth that should be lecturing others on how to conduct themselves

 

[cricketjoshila]

Usa should just shut up and mind its own god damn business

They are the last country on earth that should be lecturing others on how to conduct themselves

But they can decide how they deal with another country. No?

 

[ahsan17]

It's amusing to me how US has all these lists designating other countries as x or y or z. US having such lists makes it appear US is some neutral arbitrator of these designations, when in fact these are largely driven by political interests. I am not really sure why such lists are taken seriously. I suppose sanctions or funding could be affected by being on these lists, but such lists should be ignored if you want to actually find out which countries recruit child soldiers, which have or do not have religious freedom, etc. No one should be preaching about human rights and whatnot on the basis of these lists.

Why do other countries not have such lists? All countries should have these lists to show the absurdity of a countries (and not organizations such as UN) having these lists.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's amusing to me how US has all these lists designating other countries as x or y or z. US having such lists makes it appear US is some neutral arbitrator of these designations, when in fact these are largely driven by political interests. I am not really sure why such lists are taken seriously. I suppose sanctions or funding could be affected by being on these lists, but such lists should be ignored if you want to actually find out which countries recruit child soldiers, which have or do not have religious freedom, etc. No one should be preaching about human rights and whatnot on the basis of these lists.

Why do other countries not have such lists? All countries should have these lists to show the absurdity of a countries (and not organizations such as UN) having these lists.

US list only empowers US to take steps against any country on the list. Countries are free to ignore it.

 

[Varun]

Why are these US lists the holy grail of everything?

 

[rockyboy2018]

Why was the USA sleeping all of these years? And, what about killing children in drone attacks?

It Is China time. China is the new master of Pakistan. The USA needs to DO MORE to break this relationship.

 

[ahsan17]

US list only empowers US to take steps against any country on the list. Countries are free to ignore it.

Yes, that's what I mean - US sanctions and/or funding can be based on these lists. However, these lists have no value in terms of determining if a country is actually doing what the list claims it is doing.

Also, as I mentioned, other countries should start their own list. Not sure why other countries don't do that.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Yes, that's what I mean - US sanctions and/or funding can be based on these lists. However, these lists have no value in terms of determining if a country is actually doing what the list claims it is doing.

Also, as I mentioned, other countries should start their own list. Not sure why other countries don't do that.

USA has the power due the $ being the global currency, meaning they can put sanctions on any nation as vital goods such as oil must be bought in this currency. They dont have long to go though, China, Russia and others are now trading in their own currencies, which will eventually lead to the collapse of the $.

Any person under 18 years of age who has been recruited or used in hostilities by armed forces distinct from the armed forces of a state is also considered a child soldier.

A 17 year old is not a child.

Regadless, the Yanks are just being desperate now to criticise Turkey and Pakistan because both have recently said NO to them.

USA should worry about their own record on human rights such as bombing children who are not soldiers.

 

[Giannis]

USA has the power due the $ being the global currency, meaning they can put sanctions on any nation as vital goods such as oil must be bought in this currency. They dont have long to go though, China, Russia and others are now trading in their own currencies, which will eventually lead to the collapse of the $.



A 17 year old is not a child.

Regadless, the Yanks are just being desperate now to criticise Turkey and Pakistan because both have recently said NO to them.

USA should worry about their own record on human rights such as bombing children who are not soldiers.

I don't know what their definition of child is but you can enlist in the military here at 17 and it's not uncommon at all. You do need parental consent but that's easy to get as most parents (especially in the south) will happily let their son serve.

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/join-the-military-basic-eligibility.html

EDIT: And yes you can be deployed at 17