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Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 - Trinidad and Tobago

REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.

• Population:
  – total: 1,289,000
  – under-18s: 424,000
• Government armed forces:
  – active: 2,700
• Compulsory recruitment age: no conscription
• Voluntary recruitment age: 18
• Child soldiers: none indicated
• CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
• Other treaties ratified: GC, CRC

• There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.

GOVERNMENT

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice

The national security forces of Trinidad and Tobago include the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, both of which are under the control of the Ministry of National Security.¹⁹³⁰ Recruitment in the above forces is on voluntary basis only and the minimum age for military service is 18.¹⁹³¹ Trinidad and Tobago has a Cadet Force, which is also under the control of the Ministry of Security and is open to youths from the ages of 12 to 19. The school principal and parents must give consent for students to become cadets.¹⁹³² Cadet activities include, weapons training and shooting, field crafts, map reading and drills.

1930 US State Department op. cit. – Trinidad and Tobago.

1931 Radda Barnen (Swedish Save the Children) Website.

1932 http://www.directory.gov.tt/directory/ministry/Natsec/Securit.htm, Government of Trinidad and Tobago Website.

Topics: Child soldiers, Military service,