The Siyaj Organization for Child Protection welcomes the historic decision of the President of the Republic of Yemen, Field Marshal Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to prohibit the recruitment of children under the age of 18 in #Yemen. While affirming that the decision of the President of the Republic today represents a victory for children’s rights and the fruit of its efforts and the efforts of its partners in combating child recruitment since 2009, Siyaj calls for making November 27 of each year a national day against the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflicts in Yemen.
Siyaj also welcomes the position of the Yemeni government, headed by Mr. Mohammed Salem Basendwah, regarding the development of legislation and practical measures to prevent the exploitation of children in armed conflicts.
Siyaj expresses its high appreciation for the role that the United Nations has played and continues to play in this regard through the UNICEF office in Yemen, as well as the pivotal role played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, and before her, Mr. Jamal Benomar, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen. It also expresses its deep appreciation to the friendly government and people of Germany, represented by its embassy in Yemen, for their role in supporting the efforts of the Siyaj Organization in combating child recruitment.
Siyaj hopes that the decisions of the President of the Republic and the positive directions of the government will be translated into national legislation that aligns with relevant international laws. This legislation should then form the basis for practical measures and procedures to demobilize and rehabilitate child soldiers in the regular forces, armed groups, and tribes, thereby preventing the exploitation of any child in armed conflicts in the future.
Issued by the Siyaj Organization for the Protection of Childhood
Sana’a – November 27, 2012
