CRINMAIL 150:

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Reports of State violence in Libya continue to make the news as Gaddafi accepts a plan calling for an immediate cease fire after meeting with a delegation from the African Union in Tripoli on Sunday. But rebel leaders say they do not believe that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi would adhere to a ceasefire, and they reject any plan that does not include Gaddafi’s immediate resignation and departure from the country.

In the latest attacks, two brothers, one aged seven and the other 13, are recovering in hospital after being shot in the face last Wednesday by fighters loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, while a third brother, also aged seven, died from a bullet wound to the head. Full story

UNICEF says 37 children were killed during the protests in Yemen. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the government to immediately stop using force against civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest. Full story

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In Cote d'Ivoire, in the past few days - after forces opposed to Laurent Gbagbo entered Abidjan - residents have been holed up in their homes as buildings shook with weapons fire and armed men looted shops and offices throughout the city.

The fighting has taken many civilian lives and led to hundreds of thousands becoming refugees. At least 800 people were killed in intercommunal violence in the Ivorian town of Duékoué on 29 March, according to information gathered by field delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Ivoirians who have fled across the border to Liberia have reported incidents of rape, sexual abuse and murder to NGOs and human rights groups working in Grand Geddeh and Nimba counties.

Philippines: UN visit to monitor children affected by armed conflict
Last week marked the fourth death anniversary of Grecil Buya, a nine-year old victim of strafing by the military in New Bataan town in Davao City. Read full Story

The United Nations Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy visited the Philippines last week to follow up on UN recommendations to protect children in areas of armed conflict. At a news briefing, Mrs. Coomaraswamy announced that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines had agreed in principle to cooperate with the United Nations to identify and remove any child combatants from the New People’s Army, the Communist movement’s armed wing, which has waged a guerrilla campaign for the past four decades.

Somalia: Recruitment of child soldiers on the increase
With the escalation of fighting across Somalia since January, armed groups have reportedly recruited more child soldiers to their ranks, some even forcing teachers to enlist pupils. The exact number of child soldiers is unknown, but estimates suggest there are between 2,000 and 3,000 children serving in different armed groups.

Gaza-Israel: One child injured and 19 dead
The latest violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel began last Thursday when Hamas militants hit an Israeli school bus with an anti-tank rocket, critically wounding a teenager. This attack sparked the worst fighting since a 2008-09 Israeli offensive into Gaza. This led to four days of cross-border violence in which 19 Palestinians died.

Calm has now returned overnight after the United Nations and Egyptian mediators having helped to negotiate a truce. Read full article

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action:  One third of the victims were children
April 4th was the commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to impact the lives of thousands of people each year in more than 65 countries. In 2009, nearly 4,000 new casualties were recorded from mines, explosive remnants of war, and victim activated improvised explosive devices. One third of the victims were children.

United Kingdom: Britain's child soldiers 'jailed' for going AWOL
Britain is the only country in the European Union and one of around only 20 in the world which recruits 16-year-old Armed Forces personnel, with applications submitted as early as 15 years and nine months. The number of 16-year olds currently serving in the Armed Forces is 580, the number of 17-year-olds is 1,970. Although Under 18s are, by law, not allowed to take part in hostilities, they are often posted to barracks abroad. At present, under 18s do not have an absolute right to leave service. Read full story

Iran: Children being used to fight protesters
Human rights activists have reported that Iran is using 'child soldiers' as young as 14 to fight anti-government protesters in the country. According to witnesses, the young troops comprise up to one-third of the total force.

'Children and Armed Conflict in International Law:' PhD Studentship

De Montford University (Leicester, UK) is offering 13 full-time research student scholarships and 15 fees-only scholarships.

Details of the studentship are available here and here.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 11 April 2011

Applicants should contact the Jan Holland in the faculty Research Office at DMU to receive an application pack, which requires a full CV with two supporting references. Please email [email protected] or call +44 (0)116 250 6454 for further details.

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