UN report alleges ‘Turkey facilitated recruitment of children in Libya’

* Photo: UNICEF

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Established by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya released a report on violations of rights committed in Libya since 2016 on October 1.

Under the subheading of "Children", the report has alleged that "Turkey facilitated the recruitment of children between 15 and 18 years of age" in the hostilities between Lİbya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

'Turkey, Libya may have violated obligation'

The report has shared the following findings about Turkey:

"The evidence established that from late 2019, Turkey facilitated the recruitment of Syrian children between 15 and 18 years of age (which was evident based on their appearance) to fight alongside the GNA against the LNA in exchange for payment.

"These child mercenaries were utilised for different functions, including in combat units, and some in support roles, such as guards. Many were confined if they disobeyed and some of them were wounded.

"There are reasonable grounds to believe that Libya may have failed to comply with its obligations under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which prohibits both child recruitment and the direct participation of children in hostilities, including those not part of the State's armed forces.

"There are also reasonable grounds to believe that Libya may have failed to comply with its obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict ('OPAC' and 'CRC'), which mandates States Parties to take all feasible measures to ensure that children under their jurisdiction who are used in hostilities are demobilized or released from service.

"Furthermore, both Libya and Turkey may have violated their obligations under the OPAC to prevent the recruitment and use of children to take part in hostilities. The Mission came across further allegations of child recruitment and direct participation in hostilities, but additional time would be required for investigations."

Foreign Ministry sources deny the allegations

Speaking to BBC Türkçe, which has reported on the Mission's report in Turkey, the Foreign Ministry sources have dismissed the allegations, indicating that "these are completely unfounded allegations without any concrete foundation." The sources have said, "In fact, it needs to be questioned how such unfounded allegations are included in the report. As a matter of fact, there are dozens of concrete war crimes, mass graves and human rights abuses that the Fact-Finding Mission needs to and is expected to examine in the field in Libya." They have indicated that "how much the mission's works and the report focus on these needs to be considered."

The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Libya concluded its first visit to Libya in August and following its meetings with high ranking Libyan officials in Tripoli, they issued the final version of the report in early October.

(KÖ/SD)