Thoughts on Participation of Children and Adolescents in Armed Conflict in Peru

The conscription or enlistment of children and adolescents and their participation in hostilities Isa major human rights violations thereof. Therefore, we have taken a number of international instruments to prohibit such behavior, being especially relevant the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The Peru is a party to this instrument since2002, from which it derives a set of commitments to be assumed by the Peruvian state. In this orientation the Peruvian government has adopted series of measures in the framework of the provisions of the Optional Protocol, Law No. 29248 approving the Military Service Act and its regulations, which prohibit the recruitment of children under 18 years. Has also been established in the Military Police Criminal Code, approved by Legislative Decree 1094, as a crime against persons protected by international humanitarian law the use under 18 in hostilities (article 88). However, cases have persisted recruit in adolescents under 18 years by the armed forces. In addition, a very serious is the recruitment carried out by terrorist groups, who developed a systematic and widespread during the internal armed conflict lived in Peru from 1980 to 2000. Acts violations that have continued to carry the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group, mainly in the rivers Apurimac and Ene (VRAE). In comparison, although it has taken some actions to rescue the children and adolescents affected, although there are several in the hands of the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group. Also missing the establishment of a comprehensive care program that allows these victims physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration.