Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Nicaragua
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2004 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Nicaragua, 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4988063cc.html [accessed 19 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Republic of Nicaragua
Covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
Population: 5.3 million (2.6 million under 18)
Government armed forces: 14,000 (estimate)
Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
Voluntary recruitment age: not known
Voting age: 16
Optional Protocol: not signed
Other treaties ratified (see glossary): CRC, GC AP I and II, ILO 138, ILO 182
There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.
Government
National recruitment legislation and practice
The constitution states that there shall be no obligatory military service and any form of forced recruitment to be part of the Army of Nicaragua and the National Police is prohibited (Article 96). There has been no conscription since it was abolished by an amendment to the constitution under Law No. 192 of 1995 (Ley de Reforma Parcial a la Constitución Política).1
The minimum legal age for entry into the armed forces was not known. The minimum age for entry into military academies is 17; students under 21 must have parental consent.2 There were no reports of underage recruitment.
1 Constitution, as amended, http://www.asamblea. gob.ni/constitu.htm.
2 Communication to Child Soldiers Coalition from UNICEF, 9 July 2004.
