Under a treaty banning children under the age of 18 from participating in armed conflict, ratified by the United States in 2002, the U.S. is obliged to assist in the demobilization and rehabilitation of former child soldiers within its jurisdiction. In 2004, the Pentagon released from Guantánamo three children, believed aged between 13 and 15 at the time of their capture, to rehabilitation programs operated by UNICEF in Afghanistan. However, it refused to consider [Omar] Khadr [a Canadian teenager] and other child detainees under the age of 18 for similar rehabilitation programs, or to provide them with special protection at Guantánamo. The Pentagon has also refused to confirm the number of Guantánamo detainees who were under 18 when first detained.
“United States: Protect Rights of Teen at Guantánamo,” Human Rights Watch Press Release, 1/11/06.
"Mr. Khadr is an adult. I think it's appropriate that he be addressed as Mr. Khadr."
Col. Robert Chester, U.S. Marine.
Jane Sutton, “Guantánamo tribunal ordered to call teen ‘Mr. Khadr’,” Reuters, 1/12/06.
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