The immigrants had reported the use of under-age employees and what they said were abusive work conditions to the authorities.
Ms. Stohl said the use of under-age fighters persists in 30 conflicts, with international agencies estimating the number of child warriors at 300,000, with 50 governments recruiting teenagers into their armies.
He called the use of under-age labor "abhorrent" and said that although it occurred rarely among Apple's partners, its complete elimination was a "top priority" for the company.
Mr. Green noted that he had helped devise legislation under which nightclubs could not be opened within 500 feet of a residence, and said he supported "cracking down on nightclubs where there are credible reports of drug use, of under-age drinking".
However, the committee took Baghdad to task for a number of abuses that cannot be blamed on the militants, including reports of under-age boys used to guard government checkpoints and children held in harsh conditions on terrorism-related charges.
Amnesty International, which has been actively monitoring human rights abuses by the government and the rebels in Sri Lanka for many years, said it opposed the use of children under age 18 as soldiers, even if they have joined voluntarily.
The fact that the recruitment and use of children under age 15 is now considered a "war crime" may also influence some commanders who do not want to risk criminal prosecution to stop using child soldiers.
UNICEF welcomes special court ruling establishing child recruitment a 'war crime' NEW YORK/FREETOWN, 17 June 2004 – The Special Court for Sierra Leone recently ruled that the recruitment or use of children under age 15 in hostilities is a war crime under customary international law.
NEW YORK/FREETOWN, 17 June 2004 – The Special Court for Sierra Leone recently ruled that the recruitment or use of children under age 15 in hostilities is a war crime under customary international law.
Despite a law prohibiting the use of children under age 18 in the National Army, there are still an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 child soldiers in urban militias and other armed forces.
Todd Hoffner, the coach at Minnesota State, Mankato, was arrested on suspicion of using under-age people in a sexual performance and possession of child pornography, sheriff's officials said.
