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End the use of children in the conflict in Chhattisgarh state

Excerpts from a Human Rights Watch Press Release

12 September 2008

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India: All Sides Using Children in Chhattisgarh Conflict
- Rehabilitate Children in Armed Groups

(Human Rights Watch)

(New York, September 5, 2008) – Indian security forces and Naxalite rebels should immediately end the use of children in the conflict in Chhattisgarh state in central India, Human Rights Watch said today. Using children under age 18 in armed operations places them at risk of injury and death and violates international law.

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Human Rights Watch urged the Indian central and Chhattisgarh state governments to develop a scheme to identify, demobilize, and rehabilitate both underage SPOs [Special Police Offices] and children among Naxalite ranks.

The 58-page Human Rights Watch report, “Dangerous Duty: Children and the Chhattisgarh Conflict,†updates information on the use of children by all parties to the conflict, the harm they have suffered, and the adverse impact of the conflict on children’s education. The report is based on information gathered from more than 160 interviews with villagers, Salwa Judum camp residents, police, SPOs, and former child Naxalites in Chhattisgarh state.
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