The Seyaj Organization agreed today with Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, Commander of the 1st Armored Division and the Northwestern Military Region, on a joint timeline for the demobilization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of recruits suspected of being under 18.
As part of its campaign against child recruitment, the Seyaj Organization called on UNICEF Yemen to oversee and support these efforts to achieve the desired results and objectives, based on the decision of Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, Commander of the 1st Armored Division and the Northwestern Military Region, to demobilize 100 child soldiers as a first batch. This decision comes in response to the Siyaj campaign against child recruitment, and is a practical initiative from the military commander who supports the peaceful youth protests, demonstrating his commitment to implementing international laws and resolutions related to child soldiers.
In this context, Military Judge Abdullah Al-Hadhari, Head of the Military Prosecution in the Northwestern Military Region of the 1st Armored Division, confirmed during his meeting with the organization’s head, Ahmed Al-Qurashi, on Sunday that the division has begun demobilizing child soldiers from its ranks and is currently conducting medical examinations for anyone suspected of being under 18.
During his visit to Siyaj’s headquarters, Colonel Al-Hadhari explained that they are fully prepared to cooperate in all rehabilitation and reintegration programs in accordance with the Paris Principles and other relevant conventions and resolutions. For his part, Ahmed Al-Qurashi, head of the Siyaj organization, expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the First Armored Division for their positive response, which confirms their commitment to upholding and enforcing the law. He emphasized that the Siyaj organization, in cooperation with UNICEF, seeks to work diligently in the coming period to design programs for the demobilization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of child soldiers under the age of 18.
During the meeting held at the organization’s headquarters, both sides agreed to develop aspects of cooperation to achieve the desired goals of the campaign to demobilize and rehabilitate child soldiers. The organization reiterates its demand to the military and security establishment in Yemen to take similar practical measures to ensure the demobilization of child soldiers, monitor this process, and implement rehabilitation and reintegration programs that enable child soldiers to return to their civilian lives normally.
Sana’a – 11-11-2011
