House Approves Fortenberry Child Soldier Prevention Initiative

Washington D.C. - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry this evening applauded the passage of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 by the House of Representatives. This legislation included language from the Child Soldier Prevention Act, a bill introduced by Fortenberry which addresses the use of child soldiers by foreign governments and paramilitaries.

“The use of child soldiers is one of the most egregious human rights violations of our time,” Fortenberry said. “Children belong on playgrounds, not battlegrounds. I am pleased that my House colleagues have approved a trafficking bill that includes my legislation condemning the malicious use of children in combat.”

It is estimated that more than 250,000 children are currently exploited as child soldiers and tens of thousands of girls are subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence as a result of this heinous practice. In many areas throughout the world, children who “volunteer” as child soldiers often do so because they are desperate to survive in combat-ravaged regions where their families and every semblance of community support have been devastated.

The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 condemns the conscription, forced recruitment or use of children by governments, paramilitaries, or other organizations in hostilities. The measure urges the U.S. Government to lead efforts to uphold international standards to end this abuse of human rights and expand efforts to recover and reintegrate child soldiers into their communities. It includes a provision to take into account the needs of girl soldiers, who can be severely ostracized when returning to their communities of origin. Also, it encourages U.S. embassies to take into account global best practices in their work to help end this pernicious human rights abuse.

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