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Article: Clinton action on child soldiers a step forward.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- July 18, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On July 5, President Clinton took a positive step by signing a U.N. protocol that could put an end to the common _ and shameful _ practice of using children as soldiers.
The agreement would raise the minimum age for direct participation in hostilities and conscription into a nation's armed forces from 15 to 18. It would also raise the age for voluntary enlistment into official government armies above the current minimum of 15, and set the age for any participation in non-governmental forces at 18. And it would encourage governments to allocate energy and funds toward demobilization and rehabilitation of children who have served in battle.
Amnesty ...