Sharon Bowles launches campaign against the use of child soldiers

4.03.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Sep 2007

Sharon signing her written declaration against the use of child soldiers

South East Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles has launched a campaign against the use of child soldiers, including the European Parliament's first ever Written Declaration on the subject.

Sharon's campaign is being supported by the charities War Child and Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

The UN estimates that there were still more than 250,000 children actively involved in armed conflict across the world last year.

Sharon Bowles said "This cannot be allowed to continue. These children are totally stripped of any childhood, are subject to extreme cruelty and the brutalities of war."

"Some are as young as nine years old and are often placed on the front line of battle. In some cases they are forcibly abducted, or induced to fight by violent means by armed government forces."

"International pressure is needed to make sure that the use of child soldiers is eliminated once and for all."

If Sharon's campaign is successful, the European Parliament will put pressure on national governments and international organisations such the UN to make bolder steps toward eliminating the use of children in war.

Ends.

Notes:

The declaration will run until 3rd December 2007 and needs to gather 393 signatures to be adopted.

A copy can be found at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/expert/writtenDecl/wdFastOngoing.do?language=EN