COLOMBIA:

Up to 14,000 recruited by paramilitaries and armed opposition groups. Girls and boys forced to commit serious human rights violations. Only 10 percent have been demobilised under the government's disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programme.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: ratified May 2005

RUSSIAN FEDERATION:

Tens of thousands of orphans aged 14 to 16 live in army barracks and receive training. In the Russian breakaway republic of Chechnya, several rebel groups use children, including girls who are reportedly used in suicide bombings.

U.N. protocol prohibiting use of child soldiers: signed February 2001