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{{Infobox U.S. legislation
| colloquialacronym = CSPA
| enacted by      = 110th
| effective date  = December 23, 2008
| public law url  = https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/PLAW-110publ457/PLAW-110publ457/content-detail.html
| cite public law = 110–457 (Title IV)
| cite statutes at large = {{USStat|122|5044}} ''through'' {{USStat|122|5092}} (48 pages)
| introducedin    = House
| introducedbill  = '''the''' "Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2008" ({{USBill|110|H.R.|7311}})
| introducedby    = [[Howard Berman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]–[[California|CA]])
| introduceddate  = December 9, 2008
| committees      = [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|Foreign Affairs]], [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Energy and Commerce]], [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary]]
| passedbody1     = House
| passeddate1     = December 10, 2008
| passedbody2     = Senate
| passeddate2     = December 10, 2008
| signedpresident = [[George W. Bush]]
| signeddate      = December 23, 2008
}}
The '''Child Soldiers Prevention Act''' ('''CSPA''') is a [[United States]] [[Law of the United States#Federal law|federal statute]] signed into law by President [[George W. Bush]] on December 23, 2008, as part of the [[Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000|William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008]]. The law criminalizes leading a military force which recruits child soldiers. The law's definition of child soldiers includes "any person under 18 years of age who takes a direct part in hostilities  as a member of governmental armed forces."

== Legislative history ==

=== Pre-2008 bills ===

On July 28, 2006, Representative [[Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)|Chris Smith]] (R–NJ) introduced a bill called the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2006, which was referred to the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|House Committee on International Relations]], where it died.<ref name="Actions H.R.5966">{{cite web|title=All Actions—H.R.5966 - Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2006|date=28 July 2006|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/5966/all-actions|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On April 19, 2007, Senator [[Dick Durbin]] (D–IL) introduced a similar bill, which gained 35 cosponsors.<ref name="Cosponsors S.1175">{{cite web|title=Cosponsors—S.1175 - Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007|date=24 April 2007|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-bill/1175/cosponsors|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On June 7, 2007, Rep. [[Jim Marshall (Georgia politician)|Jim Marshall]] (D–GA) reintroduced the Child Soldier Prevention Act, which gained 13 cosponsors.<ref name="Cosponsors H.R.2620">{{cite web|title=Cosponsors—H.R.2620 - Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007
|date=7 June 2007|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2620/cosponsors|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On July 12, 2007, Rep. [[Jeff Fortenberry]] (R–NE) also introduced the bill, which gained 15 cosponsors of its own.<ref name="Cosponsors H.R.3028">{{cite web|title=Cosponsors—H.R.3028 - Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007
|date=12 July 2007|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3028/cosponsors|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref>

=== 2008 law ===

The Child Soldiers Prevention Act was introduced as part of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] on December 9, 2008, by Rep. [[Howard Berman]] (D–CA) and cosponsored by six other Representatives: [[John Conyers]] (D–MI), Jeff Fortenberry (R–NE), [[Zoe Lofgren]] (D–CA), [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]] (R–FL), [[Bobby Scott (politician)|Bobby Scott]] (D–VA), and Chris Smith (R–NJ).<ref name="Cosponsors">{{cite web|title=Cosponsors—H.R.7311 - William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008|date=23 December 2008|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7311/cosponsors|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 21, 2017}}</ref> The bill was referred to the House Foreign Affairs, [[United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce|Energy and Commerce]], and [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary Committees]].<ref name="Actions">{{cite web|title=All Actions—H.R.7311 - William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008|date=23 December 2008|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/7311/all-actions|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 21, 2017}}</ref> On December 10, Berman asked for [[unanimous consent]] to discharge the bill from committee.<ref name="Actions"/> The bill would then pass the House without objection.<ref name="Actions"/> On the same day, the [[United States Senate|Senate]] passed the bill without amendment by unanimous consent.<ref name="Actions"/> On December 23, President [[George W. Bush]] signed the bill into law.<ref name="Actions"/>

=== Proposed amendments ===

On July 13, 2011, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R–NE) introduced a bill to amend the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 to prohibit [[peacekeeping]] operations assistance to countries that recruit and use child soldiers.<ref name="H.R.2519">{{cite web|title=H.R.2519 - To amend the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 to prohibit peacekeeping operations assistance to countries that recruit and use child soldiers.|date=13 July 2011|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2519|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref> On February 16, 2017, Rep. Chris Smith (R–NJ) introduced his own amendment to the CSPA, which was cosponsored by four other Representatives: [[Randy Hultgren]] (R–IL), [[Jim McGovern (American politician)|Jim McGovern]] (D–MA), [[Randy Weber]] (R–TX), and [[Frederica Wilson]] (D–FL).<ref name="Cosponsors H.R.1191">{{cite web|title=Cosponsors—H.R.1191 - Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2017
|date=16 February 2017|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1191/cosponsors|publisher=United States Congress|accessdate=November 22, 2017}}</ref>

== List ==

=== Timeline ===
[[File:CSPA list.svg|thumb|right|400px|{{Legend|#bf0600|Currently listed}}{{Legend|#ff8985|Formerly listed}}]]
{{Legend|#bf0600|Listed}}{{Legend|#ff3a33|Partially waived}}{{Legend|#ff8985|Waived}}{{Legend|#f8f9fa|Unlisted}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Timeline of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act list
! rowspan="2" | Country
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| {{Flag|Central African Republic}}
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| {{Flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
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| {{Flag|Iran}}
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| {{Flag|Libya}}
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| {{Flag|Mali}}
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| {{Flag|Myanmar}}
| bgcolor="#bf0600" |
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| {{Flag|Niger}}
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| {{Flag|Nigeria}}
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| {{Flag|Rwanda}}
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|Pakistan
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| {{Flag|Somalia}}
| bgcolor="#bf0600" |
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| bgcolor="#ff3a33" |
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| {{Flag|South Sudan}}
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| {{Flag|Sudan}}
| bgcolor="#ff8985" |
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| {{Flag|Yemen}}
| bgcolor="#ff8985" |
| bgcolor="#ff8985" |
| bgcolor="#ff8985" |
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! colspan="9" | 2010s
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In addition to the above countries the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been added to the list as of July [https://www.wionews.com/world/us-adds-pakistan-turkey-to-list-of-countries-implicated-in-use-of-child-soldiers-395335 2021].

=== Waivers and removals ===

The CSPA bans the United States from providing military assistance or arms sales to governments that use children in combat, but the president may waive the application of the law for specific countries if it is deemed to be in the [[national interest]].<ref name="Hogg">{{cite news|last1=Hogg|first1=Charu Lata|title=The Loophole That Lets the U.S. Government Fund the Use of Child Soldiers|url=https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/loophole-lets-us-government-fund-use-child-soldiers|publisher=Open Society Foundations|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=March 28, 2016}}</ref>

On October 25, 2010, the first waivers were issued for the CSPA by President [[Barack Obama]], which were applied to [[Chad]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Sudan]], and [[Yemen]].<ref name="10 25 10">{{cite web|title=Presidential Memorandum--Child Soldiers Prevention Act|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/25/presidential-memorandum-child-soldiers-prevention-act|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=October 25, 2010}}</ref> In a memo sent to [[Hillary Clinton]], the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], Obama said it was in the [[national interest]] of the United States to do so.<ref name="10 25 10"/> On October 27, senior US officials said that Yemen was exempted because ending military aid would jeopardize the country's ability to fight [[al-Qaeda]].<ref name="Sheridan">{{cite news|last1=Sheridan|first1=Mary Beth|title=Obama waiver allows U.S. aid to 4 countries using child soldiers|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/27/AR2010102707157.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=October 27, 2010}}</ref> The [[Republic of Yemen Armed Forces|military of Yemen]] was suspected of enlisting children as young as 15 and regional militias of enlisting children 14 and older.<ref name="Knowlton">{{cite news|last1=Knowlton|first1=Brian|title=4 Nations With Child Soldiers Keep U.S. Aid|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/world/africa/29soldiers.html|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=November 22, 2017|location=Washington|date=October 28, 2010}}</ref> In Sudan, US military assistance was seen as critical in helping the [[Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–11)|southern part]] of the country build military institutions in the event that it voted to secede in the [[South Sudanese independence referendum, 2011|January 2011 referendum]].<ref name="Sheridan"/> The leaders of the southern region agreed in 2009 to end the use of child soldiers in their forces, but in December of that year, 1,200 children ages 12 to 17 were still in the [[Sudan People's Liberation Army]].<ref name="Knowlton"/> The Democratic Republic of the Congo was exempted because US-supported programs were helping its [[Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|military]] become more professional and fight rights abuses.<ref name="Knowlton"/> Chad was also granted an exception, which was said to be a reward for its role in fighting terrorism and hosting an estimated 280,000 refugees from the [[Darfur]] region of Sudan.<ref name="Sheridan"/><ref name="Knowlton"/>

On October 4, 2011, Obama certified that the [[government of Chad]] had implemented measures that include an action plan and actual steps to come into compliance with the CSPA, waived its application for Yemen, and waived in part for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<ref name="10 04 11">{{cite web|title=Presidential Memorandum -- Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/04/presidential-memorandum-child-soldiers-prevention-act-2008|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=October 4, 2011}}</ref> According to [[United States National Security Council|US National Security Council]] spokesperson [[Tommy Vietor]], [[South Sudan]] was not penalized because it "wasn't a country during the reporting period [of the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report] and isn't subject to the CSPA."<ref name="Rogin">{{cite magazine|last1=Rogin|first1=Josh|title=Congress strikes back against Obama's child soldiers' waivers|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/05/congress-strikes-back-against-obamas-child-soldiers-waivers/|magazine=Foreign Policy|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=October 5, 2011}}</ref> On September 28, 2012, Obama waived the application of the CSPA for [[Libya]], South Sudan, and Yemen, but only in part for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<ref name="09 28 12">{{cite web|title=Presidential Memorandum -- Presidential Determination with respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/28/presidential-memorandum-presidential-determination-respect-child-soldier|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> On September 30, 2013, waivers were issued for Chad, South Sudan, and Yemen, but only partial waivers for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and [[Somalia]].<ref name="09 30 13">{{cite web|title=Presidential Determination-- Child Soldiers|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/30/presidential-memorandum-determination-respect-child-soldiers-preventio-0|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 30, 2013}}</ref>

On September 30, 2014, Obama waived the application of the CSPA for [[Rwanda]], Somalia, and Yemen, but only waived in part for the [[Central African Republic]], the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.<ref name="09 30 14">{{cite web|title=Presidential Memorandum -- Determination with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/30/presidential-memorandum-determination-respect-child-soldiers-prevention-|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> On September 29, 2015, Obama waived the application of the CSPA for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, [[Nigeria]], and Somalia, but only waived in part for South Sudan.<ref name="09 29 15">{{cite web|title=Presidential Determination and Memorandum -- Determination with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 and Delegation of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/29/presidential-determination-and-memorandum-determination-respect-child|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 29, 2015}}</ref> On September 28, 2016, Obama waived the application of the law for [[Iraq]], [[Myanmar]], and Nigeria.<ref name="09 28 16">{{cite web|title=Presidential Determinations with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, and Delegation of Authority Under Section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/09/28/presidential-determinations-respect-child-soldiers-prevention-act-2008|publisher=White House|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 28, 2016}}</ref> The CSPA was waived in part for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to allow for provision of [[International Military Education and Training]] and [[Peacekeeping|Peacekeeping Operations]] assistance to build the country's military's capacity to counter the [[Lord's Resistance Army]] and other armed groups.<ref name="09 28 16"/> It was also waived in part for Rwanda, Somalia, and South Sudan.<ref name="09 28 16"/>

On July 28, 2017, a memo written by about a dozen officials at the [[United States Department of State]] said that [[Rex Tillerson]], the Secretary of State, breached the CSPA when he decided in June to exclude [[Afghanistan]], Iraq, and Myanmar from the list altogether.<ref name="Szep">{{cite news|last1=Szep|first1=Jason|last2=Spetalnick|first2=Matt|title=Exclusive - State Dept. revolt: Tillerson accused of violating U.S. law on child soldiers|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tillerson-childsoldiers/exclusive-state-dept-revolt-tillerson-accused-of-violating-u-s-law-on-child-soldiers-idUSKBN1DL0EA|work=Reuters|accessdate=November 20, 2017|location=Washington|date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> The memo, which was sent through the [[Dissent Channel]], was sent to [[Brian Hook]], the [[Director of Policy Planning]].<ref name="Koran">{{cite web|last1=Koran|first1=Laura|title=State Dept employees protest exclusion of violators from child soldiers list|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/21/politics/state-department-tillerson-child-soldiers-protest/index.html|publisher=CNN|accessdate=November 21, 2017|date=November 21, 2017}}</ref> On September 1, 2017, Hook responded to the memo by acknowledging that the three countries did use child soldiers but said it was necessary to distinguish between governments "making little or no effort to correct their child soldier violations...and those which are making sincere—if as yet incomplete—efforts."<ref name="Szep"/>

On September 30, 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] waived the application of the CSPA for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, [[Mali]], Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan.<ref name="09 30 17">{{cite web|title=Presidential Determination With Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/10/23/2017-23145/presidential-determination-with-respect-to-the-child-soldiers-prevention-act-of-2008|publisher=Federal Register|accessdate=November 22, 2017|date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Military use of children]]
* [[Trafficking in Persons Report]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/142750.htm#4 Child Soldiers (2010)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/164224.htm#2 Child Soldiers (2011)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2012/192359.htm Topics of Special Interest (2012)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2013/210544.htm Topics of Special Interest (2013)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2014/226646.htm Topics of Special Interest (2014)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2015/245236.htm Child Soldiers Prevention Act List (2015)]
* [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2016/258691.htm Child Soldiers Prevention Act List (2016)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170628043909/https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2017/271111.htm Child Soldiers Prevention Act List (2017)]

[[Category:United States foreign relations legislation]]
[[Category:Children in the military|Prevention Act]]
[[Category:Sanctions legislation]]
[[Category:United States sanctions]]