The Little Casualties of War

Colombians have endured civil unrest in their country for decades and the drug war encompasses a large part of that conflict. The lead story in this week's issue of Children in Organized Violence reminds us that those that suffer the most are the ones least able to defend themselves.

March 3rd, 2004 ; The report "Colombia's war on children", released by the US organisation Watchlist, indicates that the guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and the national police commit violent acts and abuses against the civilian population, including children and adolescents. These abuses involve sexual violence, murders and mutilations, cheating and obliging them to become integrated in their ranks as combatants, says the document.

The report further states that the easy access to small arms facilitates the employment of children as soldiers, spies, assassins, and exposes them to being victims of violence and human rights abuses.

Admittedly many of these kids entered employment in the drug trade willingly.

According to the report, Colombia's illicit drug industry supplies close to 80% of the world's cocaine and moves large quantities of money. During the 1980s, drug traffic created a body of youths that saw work in the drug industry as their only hope for a better future.

Those were simpler times, and the current situation is much complicated and dangerous for these underprivileged youth.

Today's youths that belong to gangs are frequently harassed by paramilitaries who pressure them to enter their ranks, states the report. These youths are also pressured by drug traffickers, guerrillas, urban militias, the local police, the armed forces, and other armed actors linked to politically motivated conflicts and narcotraffic. In some cases they are paid for their 'services'.

...According to the Colombia Forum, Medellin is home to 400 pandillas (youth gangs) with about 10,000 youths as their members. In total, it is estimated that close to 40,000 youths between 14 and 25 of age have died by violence in the last 20 years. The combination of poverty, urban warfare, armed conflict and the trafficking of illegal drugs has ravaged Medellin's youth and general population and has caused an increasing militarisation of society.

Violence is so pervasive in these young lives that it becomes a lifestyle choice and a means to insure their own safety.

The report also calls attention to the other consequences of years of conflict giving rise to a culture of generalised violence, and creating a context in which some young people express their desire to possess or utilize a gun because of the power and protection that it represents or provides. The opportunity to carry and use guns attracts youths of both sexes to armed groups.

In the case of young women, especially those that have been victims of sexual or domestic violence, they choose to become integrated into armed groups for the opportunity to carry an arm, says the report.

Meanwhile president Uribe's administration is developing initiatives to strengthen the police and armed forces, arming civilians by way of a program that creates rural soldiers, and has established a network of informants paid by the state called, the Co-operators Network. Uribe has showed his intention to involve up to 1 million civilians in this program without setting age limits for the participants, and without measuring the consequences of involving children in military or police actions.

The US cannot be unaware these children are being endangered with the benefit of our military aid. The Bush administration should be held criminally liable for these actions they underwrite. No child anywhere should be forced to grow up under these conditions.