Transfer
Once a child has been tied and blindfolded he is led to a waiting military vehicle for transfer to an interrogation centre. Research indicates that many children are placed on the metal floor of a vehicle during transfer. Most children report some level of discomfort, including physical violence perpetrated by soldiers and consisting of kicks and slaps. Children also report being verbally insulted or being laughed at. Most children remain in a state of fear during their transfer and find the experience painful and humiliating.
The journey to the interrogation centre can take anywhere from 20 minutes up to a whole day. Frequently, the child will be taken to a small military outpost or settlement where he will be left, still tied and blindfolded, outside or in a shipping container, until the journey resumes after daybreak. During these intermediate stops children are taken to see a military doctor and asked a series of questions about their health, but without a physical examination. Complaints raised by children about conditions or mistreatment are generally ignored by these doctors.
Sometime after daybreak the child will be loaded back into a military vehicle and taken to the interrogation centre where he will often arrive in pain due to extended shackling, and in an exhausted and fearful state. Children are rarely provided with food or water prior to arriving at the interrogation centre and are frequently prevented from sleeping until after they have been questioned.
Updated: August 2016
