According to the NGO, on March 26, a leader of the operational division Mohammad Rasoul Allah of the IRGC of Tehran, announced that a recruitment campaign called “Fighters for the defense of the homeland in Iran” was “open to volunteers” aged 12 and older.
Testimonies and verified audiovisual evidence show child soldiers deployed to checkpoints and within IRGC patrols, armed with AK47 rifles, Amnesty’s statement adds. “Iranian authorities shamelessly encourage children as young as 12 to join a military campaign led by the IRGC, putting them in great danger and violating international law, which prohibits recruiting children into the military,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, director of research, advocacy, policy and campaigns. “Recruiting children under 15 years old into armed forces constitutes a war crime.”
Official statements indicate that as part of this campaign, recruits are assigned a wide range of responsibilities, including patrols, checkpoint duties, logistical support, equipment and supply distribution, and tasks related to food, medical care, and relief, Amnesty further advances. “Iranian authorities must immediately stop their criminal offensive against children’s rights and prohibit the recruitment of anyone under 18 years old into the armed forces,” insists Erika Guevara-Rosas.
