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IRGC Lowers Recruitment Age to 12, Sparks Outrage

3/31/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly lowers the recruitment age to 12 for military roles under the 'Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran' initiative.
Human Rights Watch calls the move a violation of children's rights and a war crime.
Recruitment posters have appeared as children are being encouraged to join for patrols and checkpoints, including reports of an 11-year-old boy killed at a checkpoint.

History

Historical Context

The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child aimed to protect children from military recruitment, prohibiting involvement of those under 15 in armed conflict. Despite this, violations persist, with reports of the IRGC recruiting children as young as 12. This alarming trend echoes historical abuses seen in conflicts like those in Sierra Leone and Uganda, raising concerns about Iran's human rights practices.

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Story summary

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly lowers the recruitment age to 12 for military roles under the 'Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran' initiative.
Human Rights Watch calls the move a violation of children's rights and a war crime.
Recruitment posters have appeared as children are being encouraged to join for patrols and checkpoints, including reports of an 11-year-old boy killed at a checkpoint.

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