UN concerned at use of children as suicide bombers

KABUL, stressing an end to the practice.

“Unfortunately, for the last 30 years, the children of Afghanistan have been living and starting their lives, and often ending their lives, in was condition,” the secretary-general’s special representative said.

Speaking at a book-launching ceremony at offices of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in Kabul, Ján Kubiš reminded the warring parties of their obligations to respect the rights of children under international law.

Last year, the UN mission documented 1,694 child casualties – 545 killed and a further 1,149 injured. The leading cause of children’s casualties was improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The book — Protecting Afghanistan’s Children in Armed Conflict — is based on a series of discussions and collaboration between UNAMA and Afghan religious leaders, scholars and experts.

AIHRC Chairperson Dr. Sima Samar said: “The use of children by armed opponents in the conflict is a matter of serious concern. We appeal to the armed opponents to follow the Islamic Sharia and international conventions.”

She urged all parties to conflict to follow humanitarian and international law during war and protect the lives of children, Samar also called for avoiding the use of IEDs as they indiscriminately killed civilians.

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