Projects

On February 12, 2002, 110 countries worldwide signed an international treaty banning the use of children under age 18 in war. Unfortunately, the United Nations estimates that up to 250,000 children are still being used as soldiers in 20 armed conflicts worldwide.

The use of child soldiers has been universally condemned as an abhorrent violation of international law. However, governments, militias, and paramilitaries continue to recruit children as foot soldiers in intensely horrific conflicts around the globe - often utilizing violent coercion to do so. The recruiters take advantage of the emotional and physical immaturity of children and the consequences are tragic.

The 2008 Child Soldiers Global Report states that - either as members of non-state armed groups or enlisted into government forces - children in 19 countries and territories were involved in such degradation between April 2004 and October of 2007. Human Rights Watch has interviewed child soldiers in countries including Angola, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uganda.

Human Rights Watch presented approximately 250,000 Red Hands to Ban Ki Moon in New York to commemorate the anniversary of the day the treaty to ban child soldiers took effect. We made it clear that we expect more than a ban – we want the treaty to be enforced.

Cage Free Productions partnered with local organizations and individuals in Santa Barbara to collect approximately 10,000 Red Hands. We continue to invite other members of the Santa Barbara community to join us.

Instead of signing a petition, we call upon people, both young and old,
to create a hand print with red paint or cut a hand out of red paper or
copy the design below and add a personal message of protest to be sent
to the UN. A young German girl chose these words: “Don’t let the
children die for you. THEY are our future.” Contact us directly if you, your
school, church or community organization would be willing to help.
Join us to end this senseless exploitation of children.