Seyaj launched the second phase of its project to combat the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in cooperation with the Yemeni Ministry of Defense and with support from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sana’a.
At the launch ceremony, senior military officials said the Minister of Defense had issued decisions and instructions aimed at regulating work in the armed forces and security institutions in ways that would help reduce the future enrollment of children. They described President Hadi’s decision of 27 November banning child recruitment as evidence of a new state approach to this serious issue.
Seyaj President Ahmed Al-Qurashi praised the presidential decision as the culmination of the organization’s work since 2009 and thanked the Ministry of Defense for its cooperation. He also highlighted the lack of strong national legislation, low public awareness, and weak accountability as major obstacles, and called for stricter laws, a comprehensive national demobilization and rehabilitation plan, and broad public awareness efforts.
The event was attended by UNICEF representatives, diplomats, human rights organizations, and national and international media.
