The civil complaints mechanism “allows citizens, families, parents, and humanitarian actors to submit their complaints and report any recruitment of minors, boys and girls, into the ranks of the components of the Syrian Democratic Forces,” read the announcement.
The SDF, and its Kurdish component the People’s Protection Units (YPG), have been accused by rights groups of recruiting children. The United Nations documented the recruitment and service of 415 boys and girls between 2013 and 2018.
In the face of the accusations, the SDF banned the practice and last summer its commander Mazloum Abdi signed an action plan with the United Nations to prevent the recruitment of children and identify any minors serving within its ranks. The complaints mechanism was established as part of that plan.
The SDF is an umbrella force of armed Kurdish, Arab, and Christian groups, all of whom must comply with the new directions.
All complaints will be treated confidentially through specialized offices that will be set up throughout the region. The offices will also deal with child protection issues in general, with an eye to establishing a Child Protection Committee in the future.
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