The phenomenon of repressive hostages, a new method of neglecting children for the interests of the regime
In recent days, it has been observed that the government has used teenagers and students in military uniforms and equipment under the name of “Basij” volunteer forces to deal with the street protests following the murder of Mehsa Amini. According to the size and design of the clothes and war tools available to these teenagers, it is clear that they have already prepared for such a task. While using children and students as military forces or human shields is prohibited and reprehensible, Article 38 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that political groups should not use people under the age of fifteen in war. The government is responsible for the physical and mental peace of children and does not have the right to mobilize children for military actions and must refrain from enlisting them to participate in military conflicts. Hundreds of activists in the field of children’s and youth literature in Iran published a statement on Thursday condemning the arrest of protesting teenagers and the presence of children in special units to suppress protests.
September 29, 2022 | 9:28 pm