JRS: 11 Thousand Children Forced to Fight in Colombia

(20 Nov 09 - RV) There are 11,00 child soldiers being exploited in Colombia, some as young as 12 years of age.


Today is United Nations World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.

It marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.


In his Wednesday audience Pope Benedict appealed to the international community to redouble efforts in responding to the dramatic problems of childhood, such as violence, abuse, disease, hunger and war.


Director of communications for the Jesuit Refugee Service, James Stapelton, spoke with Irene Lagan about the widespread, systematic and habitual use, recruitment, and abuse of children in the Colombian armed conflict.