Human Rights Watch has released a critical report detailing Iran’s practice of recruiting young civilians into military roles. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively engaged in a recruitment drive, targeting children as young as twelve to serve as “defenders of the homeland fighters.” This monitoring organization for human rights asserts that this military recruitment and utilization of minors represents a grave breach of children’s rights. Specifically, the organization contends that employing children under fifteen years of age constitutes a serious war crime.
The report highlights the fundamental violation of human rights inherent in this action. On March 26, 2026, a representative from the 27th Division Mohammad Rasulullah of the IRGC in Tehran confirmed that the “Defenders of the Homeland for Iran” campaign had established a minimum age requirement of twelve. Iranian authorities must acknowledge and address these concerns.
The situation underscores the urgent need to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold international standards regarding the protection of children in conflict. The organization’s findings emphasize the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights and preventing further abuses.
Topics: #rights #human #children
