Watchlist

Over 50 years of ongoing armed conflict and the existence of powerful drug cartels has severely affected the lives of children in Colombia. Despite Colombian law prohibiting the recruitment of children under 18 into armed forces, the recruitment and use of children by illegal armed groups is widespread. Armed groups such as FARC-EP and ELN have allegedly bribed or forced their way into schools to hold child recruitment campaigns that encourage students to join their groups. National armed forces have also reportedly used children for intelligence purposes which have led to violent threats and physical harm being taken against child informants. Children are being injured and killed by indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, but also as participants in combat. They are also victims of extrajudicial executions. Girl members of the armed groups are at particular risk for sexual violence and abuse. Required to have sexual relations with adults while still very young, many girls are forced to use inadequate method of contraception and in the case of pregnancy, are forced to abort. Frequently, attacks on schools are carried out by armed groups, targeting not only physical structures, but also students, and especially teachers. Both armed groups as well as national forces have occupied schools, affecting children’s ability to receive an education and compromising the civilian status of schools. Armed groups have in fact conducted violent attacks on schools, in retaliation for previous occupation by the Colombian armed forces. This has led to the complete destruction of many schools. Anti-personnel mines, as well as active hostilities and attacks on humanitarian personnel have hampered access by humanitarian agencies. The lack of humanitarian access combined with ongoing floods and severe food shortages has led to mass displacement and grave health concerns for children.