Red Hand Day on February 12: Worldwide day of action against the use of child soldiers
Berlin, February 9, 2024 – <em>On February 12, 2002, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict entered into force, prohibiting the use of children under 18 in armed conflict. Every year on "Red Hand Day," the German Coalition Against Child Soldiers, together with numerous organizations worldwide, calls for actions using the symbol of the red hand. In the German Bundestag, more than 400 members of parliament, under the patronage of Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus, supported the demands of Red Hand Day by adding their red handprints. To date, more than 400,000 people in over 50 countries have protested against the use of children as soldiers by adding their handprints.</em>
Worldwide, approximately 250,000 children are used as soldiers in armed conflicts. "In many countries, both non-state rebel groups and regular armies recruit children and young people," explains Frank Mischo, Kindernothilfe expert and spokesperson for the alliance. "We call on the German government to take action against the recruitment of children and young people, to promote reintegration programs and psychosocial support projects, and to grant protection and asylum to minors fleeing forced recruitment. Otherwise, children will only experience a world full of war and violence and learn that there is no future for them in it."
“Even in forgotten armed conflicts like the one in Myanmar, children and young people must be given special protection,” says Ralf Willinger, children’s rights officer at terre des hommes . Here, the illegitimate military junta is waging a brutal war against its own population, especially in ethnic minority areas like Karen State. “The military junta bombs and sets fire to villages, and fleeing people are attacked. Hundreds of children die every year, and the number is rising sharply. Furthermore, the state army recruits hundreds of minors as soldiers every year, and several non-state armed groups do so to a lesser extent. In Myanmar, and particularly in the Thai-Burmes border region, terre des hommes and its partner organizations protect children, young people, and their families, providing food, medicine, education programs, healthcare, and trauma support. Access to people in need is often very difficult and urgently needs improvement. Germany and the international community must provide significantly more support. The need is immense, and government aid has been minimal so far.”
Members of the German Alliance Against Child Soldiers :
Action White Peace Ribbon, German Peace Society DFG-VK, Kindernothilfe, German Committee of the Lutheran World Federation, missio, pax christi, terre des hommes , World Vision.
<em>For inquiries and interviews:</em>
- Ralf Willinger, Tel 0541.7101-108, Email: r.willinger@ tdh.de
www.kindersoldaten.info #RedHandDay