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UN paints grim picture of child abuse in Colombian conflict

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,COL,,4aae401c1a,0.html

Despite significant Government efforts, children in Colombia continue to be killed, maimed, tortured, raped, recruited and abducted in the long-running conflict, mainly by illegal armed groups, a new United Nations report warns, calling on all parties to abide by their international obligations.

"I am deeply concerned at the continued rape and other forms of sexual violence, in particular against girls, that is perpetrated mainly by illegal armed groups," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in his latest report to the Security Council on children and armed conflict in Colombia, noting that child recruitment by these groups is widespread.

Girl members are required to have sexual relations with adults at an early age and forced to abort if they become pregnant, he adds.

He commends Government efforts to tackle such recruitment, but also calls on the authorities to ensure that the national army fully prohibits the use of children for military intelligence as well as the interrogation of those who have been separated from the illegal groups and involvement of children in civil-military activities that could put them at risk of retaliation by these groups.

Voicing "grave concern" at the extrajudicial execution of children, he urges the Government "as a matter of priority" to take measures to eliminate the practice.

The Government is also urged to enhance efforts "to combat impunity for grave violations committed against children."

Estimates of the number of children participating in illegal armed groups range from 8,000 in Government figures to 11,000 estimated by non-government sources, according to the report, which covers 2008.

Enumerating reported killings of children by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP), which has been fighting national governments for more than 45 years, Mr. Ban cites the case of a 14-year-old girl murdered in Antioquia department allegedly because of her association with a member of the national armed forces.

"The girl was brutally tortured, with one of her hands cut off and one of her eyes gouged out before she was killed," he writes.

Children have also been killed for refusing to join the groups. "In January 2008, FARC-EP attempted to recruit two brothers, aged 13 and 15, in the department of Putumayo," Mr. Ban notes. "Upon their refusal to join the group, the guerrillas killed one boy by dousing him with gasoline and shooting him. The second boy was recruited against his will."

By mariacvetanoski on Oct 4, 2009, 16:17 in Politics & the war.

mariacvetanoski says on Oct 4, 2009, 16:18:

Turning to extrajudicial killings, he cites figures from the Attorney-General’s office showing 51 child victims as of November 2008, and also mentions the case of 11 people, including a child who disappeared near Bogotá, the capital, and whose bodies were later displayed by the national army as members of illegal groups killed in combat in Norte de Santander department.

Mr. Ban notes that Colombia has the second largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the world, with nearly 3 million being displaced between 1997 and the end of 2008, and more than 1 million of them children.

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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suizo says on Oct 5, 2009, 06:08:

F***** terrorists...

Crackheads suck!

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soylocombiano says on Oct 5, 2009, 07:04:

Hi MCV, I've noticed that you post negative articles about Colombia, but don't seem to accompany them with any comments.

Do you have a point?

Maybe we could discuss tent cities in California?

Living well is the best revenge

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Rikito says on Oct 5, 2009, 12:08:

For whitewidow when he comes to comment on how this is the fault of the Colombian government and specifically President Uribe in a country he has never been in...the working phrase is "illegal armed groups."

...and so it goes

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whitewidow says on Oct 5, 2009, 12:17:

this must be part of the "broadened spectrum" mentioned by the UN in the other thread.

by the way squirrel boy, i lived in colombia for a few years a while back, which makes me no expert, but it does make you incorrect.

I'm no doper! I just play one on TV.

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Rikito says on Oct 5, 2009, 12:27:

yeah right...as stated in your profile. Another wannabie whith negative comments on everything.

...and so it goes

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whitewidow says on Oct 5, 2009, 12:28:

wannabe what, squirrel boy?

I'm no doper! I just play one on TV.

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mariacvetanoski says on Oct 5, 2009, 15:50:

soylo
the point is children are suffering, and worked with an orphanage in bogota, colombia for the last 14yrs and see how their lives are changing because someone "CARED" enough to get them off the streets of Colombia
had 2 cousins killed by guerrillas, and some cousins who lost their mother at 23 yrs of age. as well seen some of my cousins not be able to go to school or find work.. due to lack of employment
there are so "many children" but so few workers..... Hopefully the next president of Colombia and can help out with this situation thanks. ps Colombia Rules and is one of the most beautiful countries in the world especially its children....

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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soylocombiano says on Oct 5, 2009, 17:07:

OK, MCV, thanks for the explanation. Next question. What is a squirrel boy?

Living well is the best revenge

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soylocombiano says on Oct 5, 2009, 17:08:

I hope it has nothing to do with a "broadened rectum"

Living well is the best revenge

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whitewidow says on Oct 5, 2009, 18:25:

still have the avatar, rikito?

I'm no doper! I just play one on TV.

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 7, 2009, 06:15:

mothers postitute their children for $2,000 pesos right here in Beautiful Bogota.

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