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CHAGCHARAN (SW): Ragging violence and other social constrains have resulted in significant rise in recruitment of child soldiers among the ranks of the Taliban and other armed gangs, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has cautioned.
Zabehullah Jawad, regional director for the AIHRC in Ghor province told Salam Watandar that increasing insecurity, presence of armed gangs, poverty and lack of knowledge about child rights have contributed to the recruitment of children as armed fighters. He noted that the AIHRC has obtained information that proves the Taliban and other armed men are enticing young boys to join them.
Abdul Hai Khatibi, provincial governor’s spokesperson said in this regard that at least 4 thousand Taliban militants and other local commanders have recruited children as foot soldiers. “Child soldiers are recruited in the insecure areas of the province, the government is trying to prevent the recruitment”, added Khatibi.
When contacted, Gul Ahmad Usmani, director for labor and social welfare in the province, told Salam Watandar that public awareness campaigns have been executed to sensitize people about this social stigma. A while ago, a security delegation from capital Kabul visited Ghor to investigate reports about the presence of child soldiers among the ranks of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) that found no evidence.
ENDS
