Last month, the United States (US) Department of State published its annual report on “Trafficking in Persons,” featuring Pakistan and Turkey in the list of countries recruiting child soldiers, following which both nations criticised the report.
The report was published in pursuance of Section 402 of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, which calls for an annual publication identifying countries “having governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces, or government-supported armed groups that recruit or use child soldiers.” Apart from Turkey and Pakistan, the list featured 13 other countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Consequently, the countries on the list are subject to restrictions on security assistance and a commercial license for military equipment. Moreover, according to the legislation, the American government is prohibited from providing financial assistance and other such military aid to these nations. However, the law permits the President to issue a “national interest waiver” to exempt countries from reciprocal actions despite violating the law. In the absence of a waiver, the restrictions will be imposed on these countries from October 1 and continue through the 2022 fiscal year.
Concerning Pakistan, the report concluded that “the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity.” While rejecting the report, the Pakistani Foreign Office published a statement categorically denying the “unsubstantiated and baseless inclusion of Pakistan” in the list. It clarified: “Pakistan does not support any non-state armed group, nor any entity recruiting or using child soldiers. Pakistan’s efforts in fighting non-state armed groups including terrorist entities are well recognised.” Moreover, it said that Pakistan’s inclusion in the list “depicts a factual error and lack of understanding” and that “no state institution was consulted before being added to the list nor were any details provided of the basis on which the conclusion was reached.”
Likewise, the Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement calling the list “grotesque”, specifically for its failure to include Kurdish militant groups. The statement mentioned that the list was a “striking example of hypocrisy and double standards,” highlighting that “the US openly aids, provides weapons to Kurdish militant groups that forcibly recruit children.” Turkey is the first North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally to be featured in the list of countries that recruit child soldiers.
International instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the additional protocol to the Geneva Convention have often been criticised for their lack of teeth in combating the issue. These treaties are only binding for states that have ratified them and face the challenge of enforceability. Therefore, the US State Department’s list is critical in preventing the recruitment of child soldiers, as it could result in tangible and enforceable sanctions against violating countries.
Pakistan, Turkey Added to US’ Child Soldiers List
The United States State Department has added Pakistan and Turkey to the list of countries recruiting child soldiers, resulting in sanctions and reductions in military assistance to these nations.
July 5, 2021
SOURCE: GETTY