Americas and Caribbean: G - L

Some 16-year-old boys in eastern parts of the country were recruited and used as soldiers.

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces but legislation providing for recruitment from the age of 14 was still in force.

Armed gangs, mostly in Port-au-Prince, continued to use children as spies and guards, to transport weapons and to participate in clashes with the police and UN troops. Rape of women and girls by gang members was widespread and girls associated with gangs were subject to sexual abuse and exploitation.

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

The minimum age for voluntary recruitment was 18 years. Younger recruits could enter training at 17 years and 6 months with parental consent.