Children around the world are victims of a serious form of violence: recruitment and exploitation by terrorist groups.
Recognizing the gravity of this situation and the scarcity of related data and evidence, UNODC together with national research partners – and the support of the European Union - carried out extensive research through its STRIVE Juvenile project. The resulting study, Targeted by Terrorists: Child Recruitment, Exploitation and Reintegration in Indonesia, Iraq, and Nigeria was presented today in Brussels, Belgium.
The study sheds light on the devastating phenomenon of child recruitment and exploitation by terrorist groups. It incorporates field research carried out in Indonesia, Iraq and Nigeria with young adults who had been recruited by terrorist groups as children. The core protection challenges faced before, during and after association with the groups are presented, together with effective strategies to counter recruitment and exploitation.
Isabel Candela, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, opened the event by emphasizing the critical need to address this complex problem. She highlighted the importance of STRIVE Juvenile, a five-year initiative through which UNODC has worked in partnership with Indonesia, Iraq and Nigeria to protect children from terrorism. Candela said, “By investing in governance, human rights and the rule of law, we are building the ground for stability and peace.”
Alexandra Martins, End Violence Against Children Team Leader, UNODC noted that: “Since 2015, UNODC has tackled the issue of children being targeted by terrorists, advocating for an effective and comprehensive approach that centers child rights within broader humanitarian, development, security, and the rule of law and law reform efforts”.
The event brought minds and resources together to discuss the findings and implications of this innovative research. The gathering was not just a forum for discussion but a clarion call for action. The courage and commitment of the representatives from Indonesia, Iraq, and Nigeria offered hope and direction for the road ahead - they have placed this issue high on their national agendas, despite its sensitivity and complexity.
Andhika Chrisnayudhanto, Deputy Head for International Cooperation, National Counter-Terrorism Agency, Indonesia noted that: “The paradigm needs to change - from punishment to reintegration. From looking to the past to looking to the future”.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, National Security Advisor, Nigeria emphasized that “punitive approaches come with a considerable security cost and the Nigerian Government’s courageous decision to promote rehabilitation and reintegration in the face of terrorism are directly contributing to public safety”.
The publication Targeted by Terrorists signifies a pivotal moment in ongoing efforts to protect children in the context of counter-terrorism: the establishment of a united front whereby national governments, international organizations, communities, children and young adults come together to ensure that children are safe, protected, empowered, and given the chance to reclaim their futures.
Read the Full Report here
STRIVE Juvenile: Preventing and Responding to Violence against Children by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups is funded by the European Union, and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in three partner countries- Indonesia, Iraq and Nigeria. STRIVE Juvenile works with children and youth; and develops and implements comprehensive national responses to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism affecting children, in full respect of human rights, gender equality and international law. As such STRIVE forms integral part of UNODC’s 2030 Strategic Vision for Nigeria and its objective of promoting initiatives to support the victims of terrorism, in particular women and children recruited and exploited by terrorist organizations.
