Groups call for law change on child soldiers

International rights groups today called on the Senate to remove a provision in a draft law that allows for the parents of child soldiers to be prosecuted.

“The draft language sets too low a bar for criminalization and is open to misuse and misinterpretation,” said Child Soldiers International and Human Rights Watch in a joint statement.

The proposed law includes a section that would make it “unlawful for parents… or any person having control or moral ascendancy to the child, to allow, wilfully encourage, compel, coerce or influence their child or children to be part of an armed group or a governmental armed force.”

The rights groups say, “The overly broad definition of those subject to prosecution under the bill… and the vague criminal act required… increases the likelihood that the law would be misused.”

The bill, which aims to align Philippine law with international standards, would prevent child soldiers and other children associated with government forces or other armed groups from being criminally prosecuted and outlines procedures to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society.

The bill also criminalizes the recruitment and use in hostilities of children under 18 and related abuses, such as the occupation of schools by armed forces and groups.

“This bill could bring Philippine law in line with the best international standards for protecting children in armed conflict,” said Charu Lata Hogg, Asia program manager at Child Soldiers International.

“But the recruiters of child soldiers, not the children’s parents, should be the ones prosecuted for putting these children at grave risk,” Hogg added.

Bede Sheppard, senior children’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that because “so much of this bill deserves praise, the Senate need amend it only to ensure the real child soldier recruiters can be brought to justice.”

In its 2012 report, “Louder than Words – an agenda for action to end state use of child soldiers,” Child Soldiers International raised concerns over the use of children by the Philippines armed forces and the risk of child recruitment by paramilitary forces.