Iran’s Recruitment of Children for Military Roles Raises Alarms
Recent reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reveal that Iran is increasing its recruitment of children, some as young as 12, into military positions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This alarming trend underscores the growing pressure on Iran’s military efforts amid escalating airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel.
The IRGC’s campaign, titled “Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran,” actively encourages young people to enlist, especially through mosques and a volunteer force known as Basij. This initiative has lowered the recruitment age, pushing minors to take on dangerous roles, including operational patrols and monitoring checkpoints, which places them directly in harm’s way.
According to Amnesty International, this recruitment of children under 15 constitutes a war crime. The organization has gathered visual evidence and eyewitness accounts showing children wielding weapons during military-related activities in cities like Tehran and Mashhad.
The tragic consequences of this policy were highlighted by the recent death of an 11-year-old boy, Alireza Jafari, who was reportedly killed at a checkpoint while accompanying his father, a Basij member. His mother recounted that her husband had taken their sons along due to personnel shortages, urging them to prepare for tough times ahead.
Witnesses have described children struggling to manage firearms, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being. One person noted seeing a young boy at a checkpoint who appeared to be struggling to lift a gun, while others have reported seeing even younger children with weapons.
Amnesty International has also documented instances where children were filmed participating in state-organized events while armed. The recruitment campaign features posters depicting minors alongside armed adults, promoting the Basij with a slogan encouraging youth involvement.
Iranian officials justify this action by claiming there is strong demand from youth who wish to serve. An IRGC official stated that the minimum age was set at 12 due to repeated requests from teenagers wanting to take part.
Human Rights Watch has condemned this military strategy targeting children, emphasizing that there is no justification for enlisting minors, especially those as young as 12.
The U.N. labels the recruitment of children for armed conflict as a serious violation of international law, which prohibits the enlistment of anyone under 15. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling for Iranian authorities to stop the recruitment of minors and to release any children already involved in military roles.
Iran has not publicly responded to these urgent claims. The international community continues to watch closely as these developments unfold.
