Rights group: Some kids detained in conflict tortured, die
A Human Rights Watch report on the detention and treatment of children in six conflicts concludes that thousands of children in conflict-affected areas have been held for months or even years as national security threats and untold numbers have been tortured or died in custody.
The report released Thursday documents the arrest and detention of children for alleged association with rebel groups or for alleged involvement in conflict-related offenses in Afghanistan, Congo, Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Nigeria and Syria.
Human Rights Watch said governments, often empowered by new counter-terrorism legislation, apprehend children under the age of 18 for allegedly posing security threats, frequently in violation of international legal standards.
"Many children are detained on the basis of groundless suspicion, flimsy evidence, or broad security sweeps," the rights group said.
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