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February 12th, 2019

NDP Statement on The International Day Against The Use of Child Soldiers

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

Every day, tens of thousands of boys and girls are forced to perform acts of violence in conflict zones around the world. They are sent to the frontline as combatants, or are used as cooks, porters, spies and informants, where they are exposed to brutality and become the victims of rape and sexual abuse.

These children are robbed of their dignity. If and when they escape, they are rarely given the protections or the care they so desperately need.

As we mark the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, let’s commit to doing all we can to prevent the unconscionable practice of using children as weapons of war.

Let’s do all we can to help release these children saddled with such a terrible burden and ensure that psychological and educational resources are available to help them transition to the most normal life possible.

Building more peaceful societies starts by protecting all children from all forms of violence.