Accessibility links

Breaking News

UN: Afghanistan Soon To Demobilize Most Child Soldiers


21 July 2005 -- The United Nations said today that most of Afghanistan's estimated 8,000 child soldiers will have been demobilized and enrolled in education programs by the end of this year.

UNICEF spokesman Edward Carwardine said about 3,500 Afghan youngsters are expected to leave military units in the coming months.

Carwardine said the children will join the more than 4,000 already demobilized under the initiative launched early last year.

He said many have entered courses to learn marketable skills such as carpentry and mechanics.

A 2001-02 UN survey found there were approximately 8,000 child soldiers in Afghanistan, which is still emerging from decades of civil war.

(AP)

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG