Nuncio in Syria says children used as human shields

(June 13, 2012) The Apostolic Nuncio to Syria said that children are being used as human shields in the country’s raging conflict. Archbishop Mario Zenari said "Syria has started its slide into hell . The danger of latent factional hatred exploding is there and could last decades. However, he was confident of future peace. The Apostolic Nuncio explained that the violent escalation which has intensified in the past few months is affecting everyone, including children. He said against their will, they have become part of the conflict, and as media around the world report stories of massacres, torture and violence, children run the risk of being used by both sides. In a just released annual report of the United Nations titled “ Children and Armed Conflict”, the U.N. presents the stories of children as young as nine, used as human shields by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Archbishop Zenari said the rebel Free Syrian Army is accused of recruiting hundreds of child soldiers, ranging from nine to 15 years of age. The death of innocent youth and their use a human shields or soldiers is an unacceptable crime," he said and added that the international community and the U.N. must do all they can to defend these innocent victims, exploited by the regime and the rebels.