Seyaj welcomes the historic decision of the President of the Republic of Yemen, Field Marshal Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to prohibit the recruitment of children under the age of 18 in Yemen.
The decision, according to Seyaj, is a triumph for children and Seyaj’s allies in the fight against child recruitment. The organization has called for designating November 27 as an annual national day against the recruitment and involvement of children in armed conflicts in Yemen.
Seyaj also welcomes the position of the Yemeni government, headed by Muhammad Salem Basindwa, regarding the development of legislation to prevent the exploitation of children in armed conflicts.
Seyaj expresses gratitude to the UN for the role it played through the UNICEF office in Yemen, as well as the pivotal role played by Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children in Armed Conflict, and before her, Mr. Jamal Ben Omar, the Secretary-envoy General to Yemen.
It also expresses gratitude to the German government and people, as represented by its consulate in Yemen, for their assistance in combating child recruitment.
Seyaj hopes that the decisions of the President of the Republic will be crystallized into national legislation, and measures will be undertaken to demobilize child soldiers from military forces, armed groups, and tribes.
Seyaj Organization for Child Protection – Sana’a – November 27, 2012
