An oral statement by Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. It highlights the importance of understanding the reasons for which young people volunteer for armed forces and armed groups, citing the importance of such understanding for demobilisation and long-term re-integration efforts.

See also:

• a written statement submitted to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights,
• This paper presented at a conference of the Spanish Red Cross, and
• The report Young Soldiers: Why they choose to fight.

This presentation highlights five major (but not exclusive) factors leading youngsters to join armed forces or armed groups without being coerced. These are: war, poverty, education, employment and family. It is important to understand these factors in efforts to demobilize/reintegrate former child soldiers.

• an oral statement submitted to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights,
• a written statement submitted to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights,
• The report Young Soldiers: Why they choose to fight.

Published jointly with Terre des hommes Germany, this research concerns the experiences and circumstances of former child soldiers seeking asylum in Germany. It focuses on some of the problems these extremely vulnerable young persons face, and attempts to assess their needs. The study highlights challenges imposed by the asylum process, providing insights and recommendations that will be useful in other national contexts. The English edition, unlike the original German version, does not include detailed discussion on German asylum law and process, as it is intended for a broader audience.

This paper is based on QUNO’s research in The Voices of Girl Child Soldiers. It highlights those aspects of the research that add new dimensions and greater specificity to the problem of girl child soldiers, with implications for policy and programmatic issues.

See also this oral statement to the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.