BOTSWANA

CRC OPTIONAL PROTOCOL (ARMED CONFLICT)

RESERVATIONS AND DECLARATIONS

(Unless otherwise indicated, the reservations and declarations were made upon ratification, accession or succession)

Declaration:

"The Government of the Republic of Botswana declares, pursuant to Article 3 (2), of the Optional Protocol, that:

(a) There is no compulsory conscription into the Defence Force.

(b) The process of recruitment in the Defence Force is initiated through advertisement in the national press in which the minimum age limit of 18 years is stipulated as one of the requirements.

(c) The induction of all recruits is conducted in public.

(d) All recruits are required to present a national identity card which states their date of birth, school completion certificate, and other educational records where necessary.

(e) All recruits undergo a rigorous medical examination where pre-pubescence would be noticed, and any person determined to be underage is routinely rejected from recruitment."