Análisis del reclutamiento forzado de niñas, niños y adolescentes en el marco del conflicto armado

Abstract

The recruitment of minors, and the armed conflict in general, are factors that are detrimental to the social fabric and the construction of a healthy and safe community. This reluctant and unfortunate scenario is still in force and threatens the future of minors throughout the country. Although Colombia does not have exact numbers on the number of minors linked to armed groups, according to reports advanced by the Ombudsman's Office, it is estimated that at least one in four combatants belonging to illegal armed groups is under 18 years. This grim picture is added to other customary factors that go hand in hand with forced recruitment, such as physical violence, sexual abuse, labor or economic exploitation, and forced labor. In addition to the sensitive social factor that forced recruitment implies, this is also constituted as a state failure that cannot safeguard the fundamental rights of children and adolescents who, due to their status as subjects of law and vulnerable population, are constitutionally protected. In this regard, the norm is clear and our magna carta in article 44 emphasizes that: The fundamental rights of children are: life, physical integrity, health and social security, balanced nutrition, their name and nationality, having a family and not be separated from it, care and love, education and culture, recreation and the free expression of their opinion”.