Recruitment of children by organised crime

Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the recruitment, radicalisation and exploitation of children by organised criminal and terrorist groups, calling it a serious crime and a growing security threat.§1: source passage in the text MEPs urge member states to treat such recruitment as an aggravating circumstance in criminal proceedings and to assess whether legal frameworks adequately address adults using minors for offences like drug trafficking, cybercrime or terrorism.§1: source passage in the text The text stresses that minors may be victims but should not automatically escape criminal responsibility for serious or repeated offences, and calls for stronger sanctions against adult recruiters and negligent parents.§1: source passage in the text Parliament also asks for enhanced age verification, better victim compensation, stronger action by digital platforms, and improved international cooperation to tackle cross-border recruitment networks.§1: source passage in the text