In 2024, more than 7,400 children were forcibly recruited; over three decades, more than 220,000 children were separated; on a global crisis ongoing across 26 conflicts.Rana Basharat Ali Khan

In 2024, more than 7,400 children were
forcibly recruited; over three decades, more than 220,000 children were separated; on a global crisis ongoing across 26 conflicts.Rana Basharat Ali Khan.

International News Desk

According to Global times News Agancy Europe,The recruitment and exploitation of children by armed forces and armed groups constitutes some of the gravest violations of international law. In 2024 alone, over 7,400 verified cases were reported. According to global monitoring, this trend persists in 26 conflicts, with notable examples in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Myanmar. Children are being used as fighters, border guards, and labourers. This is a systematic destruction of childhood. Now, a temporary response is not enough. Full prevention is essential. Even in active war conditions, education must be made a safe haven, because the lack of schooling is a key driver of recruitment.In the past three decades, over 220,000 children have been separated from armed groups. This progress demonstrates that sustained diplomatic engagement and practical measures can yield results. But separation alone is not enough. For sustainable peace, full reintegration is essential. Reintegration must include psychological support, social acceptance, and the elimination of stigma, especially for the girls who face severe discrimination upon return.The International Human Rights Movement, under the leadership of Chairman Rana Basharat Ali Khan, is a global organisation active in the protection and promotion of fundamental human freedoms. This movement operates under a global mandate, monitoring and documenting human rights violations, ensuring the protection of affected populations through effective diplomatic engagement and on-the-ground interventions, and adopting practical strategies to implement international standards at the local level.Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full social reintegration of children and the strict accountability of criminal actors. Justice is the most powerful deterrent. Trials in national and international courts against warlords and commanders send a clear message that the exploitation of children leads to severe consequences. We must give every child the right to education instead of a weapon, so that their future is defined not by conflict, but by opportunity.

#Issued by: Ikramuddin Media Director and Coordinator International Human Rights Movement for Europe