New Paper Calls for Entire New Approach to Deal with Young People Associated with Non-State Armed Groups

4 September 2023

Our new Research Paper Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges presents a comprehensive examination of the realities faced by 'Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups' (YANSAG).

Based on field data collected in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and Colombia and authored by our Head of Research and Policy Studies Dr Erica Harper and Visiting Research Fellow Dr Yosuke Nagai, the paper analyses the distinct needs of these young people, as well as their potential — and often overlooked — role in peacebuilding efforts.

‘This paper offers unique insight into how the community of practice might develop more effective and impactful strategies when dealing with former combatants. This is a topical issue for both countries where non-international armed conflicts are taking place, but also for countries of origin seeking to reintegrate YANSAG’ underlines Dr Haper.

Introducing New Terminology: Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups

In this paper, the authors introduce the term 'Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups' (YANSAG) and highlight their lack of recognition as 'youth' as well as the absence of an international protection framework that caters for their distinct needs and vulnerabilities.

‘Often, discussions within the realm of conflict resolution, disarmament, reintegration, and counterterrorism overlook the complexities faced by YANSAG. This paper aims to rectify this oversight and trigger discussions aimed at empowering YANSAG as agents of peace’ explains Dr Nagai.

Rethinking our Approach

The paper's findings draw from an analysis of semi-structured interviews with 120 youth previously associated with non-State armed groups (NSAGs) such as Al-Shabaab, the Houthis, SPLM-LO, and FARC. It confirms the disproportionate participation of young people in violent extremism and NSAGs at between 70-90 percent. The data also highlights the vulnerabilities faced by these individuals both before and after their engagement. Strikingly, a vast majority of respondents had desired to leave their groups but lacked opportunity.

Hindrances included fears of reprisals, lack of practical support, and to a lesser extent, the absence of legal amnesty. The paper also highlights consistent messages from YANSAG to their peers, emphasizing the scope of life outside of the group.

‘In short, we need to radically rethink our approach to YANSAG. Strategies need to be centred around prevention, providing concrete assistance for safe disengagement, extending juvenile justice norms to YANSAG, and integrating restorative justice with a focus on desistance rather than de-radicalization’ underlines Dr Nagai.

‘Integrating YANSAG’s concerns into conversations around peacebuilding, stabilization, resilience and broader youth agendas is also pivotal’ he adds.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP EU News News

Bridging Geneva and Europe: advancing human rights in the digital age

2 June 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform has taken its work on strengthening the international human rights system to the heart of European policymaking.

Read more

IHL in Focus Spot Report News

Water Wars: How Sudan’s Conflict Weaponizes a Basic Human Need

4 August 2025

Our latest spot report explores how the targeting of water infrastructure is contributing to what is now considered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, affecting 30 million people.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more