Hamamboculeri.org: Alternatif Haber,Ingilizce, 28 Temmuz 2002
http://www.child-soldiers.org/
Kıbrısdaki Çocuk Askerlerle İlgili 2001 Yılı Raporu
From http://www.child-soldiers.org/ report on Child Soldiers, 2001, available at http://www.child-soldiers.org/report2001/countries/cyprus.html
CYPRUS Cyprus has been a de facto divided country since the Turkish invasion of 1974. Since then the southern part of the island has been under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of the island has proclaimed itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and is occupied by Turkish armed forces. This entity, although recognised only by Turkey, has its own authorities and conscription system.[1] For these reasons it is treated separately in this report without implying any position in relation to its status or legitimacy. The two parts are separated by a buffer zone patrolled by a UN peacekeeping force, UNFICYP. REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS POPULATION: 778,000 total, 222,000 under-18-s GOVERNMENT ARMED FORCES: 10,000 active, 60,000 reserves, 750 paramilitary COMPULSORY RECRUITMENT AGE: 18 VOLUNTARY RECRUITMENT AGE: 17 VOTING AGE (GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS): 21 CHILD SOLDIERS: indicated - 200-300 under-18s annually recruited into government forces; possibly less than 5% of annual recruits CRC-OP-CAC: not signed OTHER TREATIES RATIFIED: CRC; GC/API+II; ILO138+182 There are indications of under-18s in government armed forces as voluntary recruitment is possible from the age of 17. The annual intake of under-18s is estimated at about 200-300. It is likely that under-18s are deployed since there is no distinction between the age for recruitment and deployment. National Recruitment Legislation and Practice Conscription is enshrined in the 1960 Constitution in its Article 10(3) (b). The present legal basis of conscription is the 1961 Military Service Law.[2] According to information provided by the government, the minimum age for conscription is 18 and one can volunteer for military service from the age of 17.[3] The Government has stated that there is no distinction between the age of recruitment and the age of deployment.[4] The police and priests are exempt from military service, as are the Members of the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Maronite churches.[5] Child Recruitment According to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, 17-year-old volunteers comprise not more than 5% of new conscripts each year and have usually turned 18 by the time they complete basic training, "[t]hus in practice there are no under-18s in the main body of the armed forces."[6] The number of under-18s recruited annually is approximately 200-300.[7] Military Training and Military Schools Completion of military service is a criterion for admission to institutes of higher education.Sixteen-year-old youths may be prevented from leaving Cyprus if they are thought to be avoiding military service.[8] In 1998 the government stated that the minimum age for enrolment into military schools or institutions was 18.[9] More recently the government reported that there are no military schools in the Republic of Cyprus.[10] TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS Data presented here represent the de facto situation on the northern part of the island. POPULATION: 215,000 [11] GOVERNMENT ARMED FORCES: 5,000 active, 26,000 reserves COMPULSORY RECRUITMENT AGE: 18 VOLUNTARY RECRUITMENT AGE: unknown CHILD SOLDIERS: unknown CRC-OP-CAC: not signed or ratified as not UN member state OTHER TREATIES RATIFIED: not signed or ratified as not UN member state It is not known whether there are under-18s in government armed forces due to lack of information on voluntary recruitment age. Recruitment Legislation and Practice Northern Cyprus allegedly applies conscription but its current legal basis is unclear. Most likely the laws and regulations pertaining to it are derived from and similar to the Turkish military service laws.[12] The length of military service is 24 months. Call-up for military service takes place at the age of 18.[13] In August 1999 the Council of Ministers proposed legislative changes which would exempt citizens from national service for a fee of US$12,000, and exempt those with a doctoral degree for US$9,000.[14] [1] Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit. [2] Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit. [3] Communication from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations sent to QUNO, 6/2/98. Information confirmed by the Permanent Mission in the answer given to CSC, 16/8/99 [4] Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, 16/8/98 op. cit. [5] Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit. [6] Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus on 6/2/98 op. cit. and also 16/8/99 op. cit. [7] Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, 16/8/99 op. cit. [8] Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit. [9] Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, 6/2/98 op. cit. [10] Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, 16/8/99 op. cit. [11] IISS, The Military Balance op. cit. [12] Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit. [13] http://www.rb.se// Source: War Resisters International [14] Turkish Cypriot Press Summary, 28 and 30/8/99, http://www.trncwashdc.org/News.html.