Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Mauritius
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2004 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Mauritius, 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4988064232.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| 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 Mauritius
Covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
Population: 1.2 million (0.4 million under 18)
Government armed forces: none
Compulsory recruitment age: No conscription
Voluntary recruitment age: 18 (for security forces)
Voting age: 18
Optional Protocol: signed 11 November 2001
Other treaties ratified (see glossary): CRC, GC AP I and II, ICC, ILO 138, ILO 182; ACRWC
There were no armed forces. There were no reports of under-18s in government paramilitary forces.
Context
Following the resignation of both President Cassam Uteem and Vice-President Angidi Chettiar after they refused assent to new anti-terrorism legislation, Karl Auguste Offman was sworn in as President in February 2002.1 He was succeeded in October 2003 by Sir Anerood Jugnauth. Mauritius ratified the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court on 5 March 2002. However, on 26 June 2003 the US government announced a bilateral agreement with Mauritius not to surrender their respective citizens for prosecution in the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes or crimes against humanity, an agreement that violated obligations by Mauritius under international law.2
Government
National recruitment legislation and practice
Mauritius does not have a standing army. All military, police, and security functions are carried out by the Mauritius Police Force, which has a total strength of 10,800. It incorporates an air wing, a paramilitary Special Mobile Force, and the National Coast Guard.3 The minimum age of recruitment is 18 in all these forces.
1 Mauritius News, "Karl Offman, New President of Mauritius Republic", March 2002.
2 Afrol News, "Mauritius signs 'impunity deal' with the US", 26 June 2003.
3 Mauritius Police Force, http://police.gov.mu.
