For more than 50 years and under different logics, dynamics, modes of operation and trends, children and adolescents have been in the crosshairs of illegal armed actors to swell their ranks and strengthen the capacities of their organizations, not only in actions. war, but in the development of logistical support activities, tasks for the survival of troops, information, messaging, transportation of drugs or weapons, among others.
Faced with this scourge, national and international actors have worked for the protection of children , from different areas of work . All based on article 44 of the Political Constitution of Colombia , which states:
“The fundamental rights of children are: life, physical integrity, health and social security, balanced nutrition, their name and nationality, having a family and not being separated from it, care and love, education and culture, recreation and free expression of opinion. They will be protected against all forms of abandonment, physical or moral violence, kidnapping, sale, sexual abuse, labor or economic exploitation and risky work. They will also enjoy the other rights enshrined in the Constitution, in the laws and in the international treaties ratified by Colombia."
Under this principle and taking into account that “The family, society and the State have the obligation to assist and protect the child to guarantee their harmonious and comprehensive development and the full exercise of their rights. Any person can demand compliance from the competent authority and the punishment of violators. “The rights of children take precedence over the rights of others.” The Colombian Air Force has developed activities focused on mitigating the impact of forced recruitment of minors by illegal Armed Groups that commit crimes in the southwest of the country.
This year, the Comprehensive Action Department of the Air Combat Command No.7 (CACOM-7), has carried out and participated with specific actions in different municipalities and villages of the departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño, with the in order to alert the community so that they know how to prevent this scourge, which affects daily life, the possibilities of development and destroys the training and socialization spaces of children and adolescents.
In this sense, it is essential to protect the child population and their environments so that they are not used during an armed conflict, that is, not to accept in any way the direct or indirect participation of minors in hostilities or armed actions.
Through the operational synergy of CACOM-7, actions have been carried out that contribute to this Institutional Campaign, in which dynamic activities are carried out to strengthen human rights and patriotic values in the most vulnerable areas of the country. Among these activities is: participation in public and private radio stations, aerial broadcasting, launching of flyers, preventive talks in educational institutions, Community Action meetings and spaces with the community and the presentation of the program Así se va a las Estrellas, an initiative that seeks to get closer to the little ones through dynamics that teach them human rights and national values.
It is necessary to continue alerting the community about this crime in the context of the armed conflict and the importance of reporting this fact that affects the free development of minors, especially in the geographical areas most affected by the influence of criminal structures.
The Military Forces through the Army, Navy of Colombia and the Colombian Air Force will continue to carry out these activities, making available their capabilities to confront this scourge, ensuring that boys, girls and adolescents are out of war and any dynamic of violence that violates their rights.
Source: press – Colombian Air Force
https://www.cgfm.mil.co/es/blog/trabajo-articulado-de-las-fuerzas-militares-para-la-prevencion-del-reclutamiento- forcedo