In a unanimous cry for freedom, the General Command of the Military Forces and the national Government commemorated the International Red Hand Day, raising a symbolic shield against the recruitment of minors into armed groups. The activity, which recalled the entry into force of the Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, put a face and figures to a struggle that is taking place every day in the national territory.
The acting Minister of Defense, Javier Baquero Maldonado, was emphatic in describing the seriousness of this problem: "It is a crime against humanity that they continue to do this; we are working to prevent recruitment. That is why we have created an immediate reaction unit that manages to recover the children before these organizations can take them away."
During the current government period (2022-2025), the disengagement of minors from armed groups has experienced a 76 percent growth, going from 507 cases to 893 recovered minors. This increase represents 893 children and adolescents who today have the opportunity to exchange a rifle for a notebook and fear for hope.
The acting Minister of Defense in the same way explained that the Government is working in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, the Colombian Institute of Family Wellbeing, ICBF, the Ministry of Equality, the Ministry of Education and the High Council for Human Rights, with the aim of preventing new cases in the country.
He in the same way said that the effort is not only focused on prevention, but in the same way on recovery and the restoration of rights, so that those who have been linked to illegal structures can resume their studies, rebuild their life project and return to their families
The message was direct for families and civil society: prevention begins with reporting and constant vigilance. "Call us. Report. We are here to protect the people," concluded the (acting) Minister Baquero, reaffirming that the Military Forces are the first ally of Colombian children.
#QueNoReclutenTusSueños
Source: Strategic Communications - General Command of the military forces
