Capítulo 1: No es un mal menor. Niños, niñas y adolescentes en el conflicto armado.

The Impact of Conflict on Children in Colombia

Childhood Losses and Societal Responsibility

• The chapter recounts stories from individuals who experienced significant losses during their childhood, including the disappearance of parents and the breakdown of families.

• It emphasizes that preventing violence against children is a collective responsibility involving the state, family, and society, particularly in rural and marginalized areas of Colombia.

Experiences of Conflict

• A personal account highlights the emotional trauma faced by children during conflict, illustrated by a moment where a sibling witnesses violence firsthand.

• The narrative discusses human rights violations affecting schoolchildren, specifically mentioning recruitment into armed groups at schools.

Recruitment and Stigmatization

• Carlos Andrés Reina Pinzón's story exemplifies the tragic fate of recruited minors who are thrust into combat without proper training or understanding.

• There is a stigma associated with being from certain regions affected by conflict, impacting individuals' opportunities as they grow older.

The Aftermath of Violence

• A recollection describes how sudden violence shattered moments of joy for children, marking a loss of innocence and happiness.

• The phenomenon of child recruitment remains poorly understood in Colombia; it was not even considered a crime for many years.

Seeking Truth and Reconciliation

• Emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past events to foster open discussions about these issues within communities.

• Many testimonies come from adults reflecting on their traumatic childhood experiences; some victims were affected even before birth due to parental abductions or killings.

Children as Victims in War

• Highlights that Colombian warfare has disproportionately impacted children, who have been both recruited and used in conflicts without adequate protection or care.