October 28, 2024 – Accept International* announces the launch of the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY) to advocate globally for the rights and empowerment of youth involved in terrorism or armed conflict.
In recent years, the role of youth, including women, has been emphasized in various international agendas. However, Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG**) are often seen solely as causes of armed conflicts or threats, with their rights and empowerment insufficiently recognized within the international community.
The newly formed taskforce aims to shed light on these overlooked youth, working to break the cycle of hatred worldwide and striving towards sustainable peace. The ultimate goal of GTY is to establish international norms that ensure the rights, protection, and empowerment of YANSAG and help them become peace agents.
Specific activities will include, not limited to, global advocacy, collecting testimonies from YANSAG worldwide, organizing international conferences, and drafting proposals and legal texts for resolutions on their rights and empowerment at several places, including the UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council. These efforts will involve YANSAG members from various countries, along with experts, researchers, practitioners in related fields, and victims of terrorism and armed conflicts.
Additionally, GTY develops and implements empowerment programs to help these youth become agents of peace, and provides grants for initiatives by such youth and those supporting them globally.
Taskforce Members
- Mr. Yosuke Nagai, Executive Director, Accept International
- Ms. Angélica Quimbaya, Nursing and pharmacy assistant, Former combatant of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
- Ms. Nahara Khairiya Sittie Naura Hamim, University student, Returnee from a non-state armed group in the Philippines
- Mr. Ahmed Hamed, High school student, Former member of Houthi (Ansar Allah)
- Mr. Nor Ali Hassan, NGO worker, Former member of Al-Shabaab
- Ms. Wadani, Self-employment, Former combatant of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
- Mr. Abdul Wahid Sesay, Deputy project coordinator of EducAid, Former combatant of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
- Ms. Mirsada Tursunović, President of Naš Glas, Survivor of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) during the Bosnian War
- Mr. RT. Atok Aris Hadipuro, Deradicalization practitioner, Former member of Negara Islam Indonesia (NII), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT)
- Mr. Edson Jean, Father of two children, Former member of a Haitian gang group
- Ms. Wasar Azzawi, Human rights lawyer and Project Manager of Aid Gate Organization
GTY is seeking individual and organizational partners who wish to collaborate to advance efforts for youth combatants. To stay informed about GTY's activities, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter at the GTY website. More information on GTY is available at: https://gt4y.org/
Background
In today's global landscape, youth are widely recognized as future leaders and play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding efforts. However, many of them are also present in non-state armed groups, including violent extremist organizations. Their involvement often stems from factors such as forced recruitment, abduction, economic and social hardship, or resentment towards governments and the international community, rather than due to extremist ideologies.
Youth involved in terrorism or armed conflict could also play a key role in shaping the future of society, given their unique and complex backgrounds. However, they are often viewed merely as threats or causes of conflict, ultimately being left behind by the international community. This marginalization makes it difficult for them to break free from cycles of hatred and can even perpetuate new negative cycles, creating a significant barrier to sustainable peace worldwide.
In response, we have initiated efforts to establish international norms that protect the rights and promote the empowerment of these young individuals, helping them realize their potential as youth and facilitate their return to society as agents of peace.
*Accept International: a Japan-based international NGO dedicated to breaking the chain of violence through accepting and empowering youth associated with non-state armed groups, including those labeled as terrorist organizations. We facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, recognizing them as pivotal peace agents. Our operations span conflict zones in Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, and areas affected by conflict in Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia. (Website: https://accept-int.org/en/)
**Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: This term refers to young people aged 18 to 35 who are or have been involved with non-state armed groups, including violent extremist organizations. See Yosuke Nagai and Erica Harper: 'Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges,' Research Brief, forthcoming publication, the Geneva Academy (2023).
Contact Information
Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants
Email: info@gt4y.org
