Web Action WA 17/04; AI Index AFR 34/013/2004 31 August 2004

Liberia: Demand justice for child soldiers

This action has successfully highlighted the appalling human rights abuses suffered by child soldiers in Liberia and contributed to a growing awareness, in Liberia and elsewhere, that those responsible must be brought to justice. Encouragingly, there does not appear to have been any progress towards granting a general amnesty to those involved in military activities during the conflict.

Amnesty International is concerned, however, that the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) and the international community have yet to make firm commitments to ending impunity for crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of international law, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers. We will continue to campaign against an amnesty for these crimes and call on the NTGL and international community to work with Liberian civil society to bring those responsible to justice.

Many thanks to all those able to part in this action.