IN THE FIRING LINE - CHILD SOLDIERS
LEFT UNPROTECTED BY NEW CONVENTION


A new Convention - due to be adopted by the International Labour Organisation - aimed at protecting children from the worst forms of child labour fails to safeguard one of the most vulnerable groups - child soldiers.

Under intense pressure from the USA - backed by the UK and the Netherlands - the International Labour Conference has only agreed to prohibit “forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict”. Volunteers are therefore not excluded from armed conflict, nor is conscription of under 18s itself prohibited.

Anti-Slavery believes the move is intended to enable US President Bill Clinton - who will speak at the Conference on 16 June - to commit his country to signing the new Convention.

It is hard to see how a Convention which claims to address the worst forms of child labour can fail to include forcing children into the line of fire.

Anti-Slavery is particularly disappointed by the failure of governments professing concern for child soldiers to do anything concrete to stop this human rights abuse. These people have remained silent, while a small group of governments has blocked an international law that could prevent children from fighting in wars.

Efforts must continue to ensure that these children are finally given the protection of strong international law.



Notes to the editors:



The Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour is set to be approved on 17 June.

Those countries in favour of a stronger amendment include: all the African governments, the Workers, and the governments of Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain and Uruguay.
10 June 1999 PR/6/99