Brief
Colombia sentences 11 ELN commanders for child recruitment
A judge in Bogotá sentenced 11 National Liberation Army commanders in absentia for recruiting 60 children between 2004 and 2018.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A Colombian judge on Monday sentenced 11 commanders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) in absentia to prison terms ranging from 11 to 20 years for recruiting 60 children as young as eight between 2004 and 2018. The commanders, who have not been captured, were found guilty of recruiting boys and girls aged 8 to 17, with prosecutors alleging that some girls were sexually abused. One convicted leader, Israel Ramírez Pineda, alias Pablo Beltrán, now lives in Cuba and recently led a delegation that held peace talks with the Colombian government. The United Nations Human Rights Office welcomed the sentences, stating that recruiting children is prohibited by international law. The judge noted that the ELN had previously participated in peace talks, but the Colombian government cancelled talks last year after a series of attacks in the Catatumbo region that killed at least 80 people.
Key facts
- 11 ELN commanders sentenced in absentia (independent.co.uk)
- Sentences range from 11 to 20 years (independent.co.uk)
- Recruitment involved 60 children aged 8 to 17 (independent.co.uk)
- Some girls were sexually abused (independent.co.uk)
- One commander lives in Cuba and led a peace delegation (independent.co.uk)
- UN Human Rights Office welcomed the sentences (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Colombia issues lengthy sentences against ELN rebel leaders for recruiting children”
