Politics
The National Society for Human Rights has called for firm action against the recruitment of children by the Houthi militia in Yemen and their use in military activities.
The National Society for Human Rights has called for firm action against the recruitment of children by the Houthi militia in Yemen and their use in military activities. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the organization warned that involving children in armed conflicts endangers their lives, safety, and future, while depriving them of education and the opportunity to live in a safe environment. Citing various international reports, the organization said cases had been documented in Yemen in which the Houthis recruited children and involved them in military-related activities. It described these practices as serious violations of children’s rights and contrary to international principles governing the protection of children in armed conflicts.
The human rights organization stressed that merely condemning or documenting these violations was not enough. Practical measures were needed to secure the release of recruited children, protect them from being recruited again, and ensure accountability for those responsible. The organization also urged the United Nations and the Security Council to take effective measures to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of children and hold those involved accountable.
The statement warned that forcing children into armed conflicts fuels violence and extremism, prolongs conflicts, and undermines efforts to achieve peace and stability. The organization further emphasized the need to rehabilitate affected children, reunite them with their families, return them to school, and provide them with psychological and social support. It stressed that children belong at home, in school, and in their communities—not on the battlefield.
