asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the thousands of children of 8 and 9 years old who are being killed and maimed in the Iran-Iraq War; if he has made representations on this matter to the respective Governments and to the United Nations or any other relevant international agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Iran-Iraq War.
410.
Despite the difficulty of getting first-hand information on the Iran-Iraq War, it is clear from media reports that Iran is using young children as soldiers on the frontline, and that large numbers of them have been killed or wounded. Iranian claims that the children are volunteers have also been denied by child-soldiers held in Iraq.
It is also clear that the Iraqi Government has for some time been pursuing a policy of shelling civilian targets in Iranian towns near the frontier, and that many children have been the innocent victims of such attacks.
The Government condemn these practices with equal vehemence. On 27 September 1983, speaking on behalf of the Ten, the Greek Foreign Minister, in his address to the 38th Session of the UN General Assembly, made an urgent appeal to the two belligerents to spare the civilian population and to abide by all international conventions applicable in time of war.
On 12 March 1984 the UN Commission on Human Rights, of which Ireland is at present a member, adopted without a vote a resolution calling on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cease immediately the use of children in its armed forces, and inviting international organisations to help children at present prisoners of war in Iraq.