In a controversial move, Iran has announced plans to recruit children under 15 years of age for military training as part of its Janfada (self-sacrifice) campaign. Sasan Zare, the campaign’s spokesperson, confirmed this development to the Iranian Labour News Agency, stating that the demand for such training was high, prompting the decision to include younger individuals.
Recruitment Details
Zare remarked that children as young as 15 have already started training, and special programs will soon be developed for those below this age. Notably, only male minors will receive these military training opportunities, while female candidates will have to wait until they are 18 to enlist. This division raises concerns about gender disparities within military recruitment efforts in Iran.
The initiative comes despite clear violations of international humanitarian laws, including the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the enlistment of minors under 15 by state and non-state armed groups. Nonetheless, the Iranian government has been known to recruit children as young as 12, showcasing a disregard for these regulations.
Previous Incidents Involving Minors
In March, a notable figure within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Rahim Nadali, indicated that the minimum age for the homeland defense forces was established at 12. Sadly, shortly after this announcement, an 11-year-old boy named Alireza Jafari was reported killed at a military checkpoint. The Basij Teachers Organization confirmed that he was serving “on duty” when he lost his life, highlighting the real dangers faced by these young recruits.
The impending training sessions are scheduled to take place in Tehran and will be conducted at various military centers, including the prominent Imam Hussein Square, which will be transformed into a military training pseudo-camp. Participants will learn skills related to local security, surveillance, and even drone operation. Zare claims that a significant percentage of the Iranian populace has enlisted in the campaign, emphasizing the patriotic culture underlying these military activities.
National and International Reactions
The Janfada campaign is framed around a slogan, “We have one life, and we give it for Iran,” which has sparked international outrage. Critics argue that this indoctrination of children into military ideologies is not only morally reprehensible but also a blatant violation of their fundamental rights. Furthermore, Zare suggested that many Iranians living abroad may join the campaign, indicating a broader attempt to engage the diaspora in these military and cultural activities.
The recruitment of minors for military purposes raises urgent ethical considerations that need to be addressed both within Iran and by the international community. Advocacy groups and human rights organizations are likely to respond strongly to these developments, representing the rights of children and urging for adherence to global conventions aimed at protecting minors from military involvement.