Child Soldiers In Armed Conflicts

The use of child soldiers have become a normal contribution to armies, especially in countries such as Africa. Although, countries such as Afghanistan, India, and Libya have been using child soldiers since 2011. According to “Children in Conflict: Child Soldiers,” there has been 36 countries involved since 1998. Something needs to be done about this issue due to the fact that thousands of

Are you aware that right now, at this very moment, there is a group of young boys ages 8-13 who are clenching a gun being ordered to kill against their will? It’s understood that others opinions about the dangers of child soldiers being free are only because they don’t want to risk anything but, isn’t life all about taking risks? You risk your life leaving the house, and breathing. Also, countries should not prosecute child soldiers for the crimes they committed during wartime. There also should not be an international minimum age of criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Here are three reasons why they should not be prosecuted or held responsible. Also that there should not be an age limit. One. Children are afraid, young, and clueless. Two. Children are 99.99% of the time drugged, forced, and brainwashed. “Children are often brainwashed and drugged before they are forced to fight. Their vulnerability can allow warlords to make them into cold-blooded killers” (O'Neill 1 ). Three. Children are independent, lonesome, and they want/need a family. One that gives them love.

Recently, two million children have died over the past ten years due to becoming a child soldier. A huge deplorable development that has extended recently is the increase of child soldiers. Children are constantly being used as soldiers for various reasons. In some countries, there are more child soldiers than they are adults because children are more compliant. Children have been exploited as soldiers because they are being recruited to do a violent action, it is difficult for them to, later on, assimilate back to their lives, and child soldiers are regularly used in developing countries.

Child Soldiers is a major global issue which is affecting todays 21st century. Many Countries around the world are illegally operating child soldiers such as Burma and Sierra Leone currently there is a crisis as many more children are being subject to this cruel act. Many world media and Non-governmental organisations such as the guardian and Human rights watch have reported thousands of child soldiers in Myanmar Burma. The Convention on the rights of a child and the Universal declaration of human rights strictly prohibits children in armed conflict further the United Nations further prohibits children in armed conflicts. The International Criminal Court has previously dealt with Thomas Labunga a leader of the liberation forces of the Congo whom used children as young as 10 in his military . However these measures have not been effective as there are still children in conflict due to state sovereignty.

Since they are forced to leave their homes, kids miss out on getting an education, spending time with family, making friends, and enjoying peaceful, carefree lives. Being recruited into war changes their childhood forever. They live in fear of getting killed or harmed, and have to murder other people themselves. If they don’t, they risk getting shot or abused by commanders. An article on hrw.org (2004) states that many children are “victims of killings, rape and sexual assault, abduction, torture, forced labor and displacement at the hands of the warring factions.” This reveals that when children are forced into war, they no longer get to enjoy the fun and simple childhood everyone deserves. Rather, they must live up to adult responsibilities and perform abhorrent crimes. In addition, these children are often given many drugs to make them more inclined to kill. An article on vision.org (2008) talks about a child soldier rehabilitation camp director that has reported that kids “would do just about anything that was ordered” while on drugs. The use of drugs in young people dangerously affects their overall health and alters their minds substantially. Also, Child Soldiers International notes that child soldiers “run a high risk of being killed or maimed.” This clearly describes the health and future of these children as they are forced into war. As can be seen, recruiting kids into war negatively affects their physical state and their

Worldwide, the use of child soldiers is a huge issue. Today, there are over 300,000 child soldiers worldwide. Every one of these soldiers are heavily armed and dangerous. They have been becoming a threat to America and the world. No matter their age, they have done terrible thing in behalf of terrible causes. Even as America continues to bring these kids to back in hope to rescue them, most if not all attempts to civilize them have failed. These kids have been swindled, drugged and brainwashed. There is simply no hope for them to return to their right mind.

The issue of child soldiery is a social issue that plagues society on a global scale. For instance, The Global Report 2008 which was edited by UNICEF and Child Soldiers Global Institution reported that 19 countries and territories employed children in government forces as well as non-state armed groups. Some countries include Iraq, Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia (Deak, 2013, p. 1). It is impossible to state the exact number of child soldiers around the world; however, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations estimate that that there are about 250,000 to 300,000 child soldiers (Szijj, 2010, p.4) It is evident that that child soldiery is an epidemic thus, I will investigate what social and political factors are responsible

All around the world people are looking for soldiers, either big or small, to help fight for either their country, freedom, or religion. The abundance of children on earth has lead to one idea that would change the world forever. The idea that a child, who ranges from the age of 3-18, should fight in a war with a fully operated gun, grenades, and little hope of surviving. Countries in Iraq, Sira, Africa, and Asia, pluck children off the streets, drug them, and force them to go into battle. You have to kill or be killed. Generals are usually disrespectful and a life as a soldier is very difficult. As the thought of child soldiers lead to controversy. Many people are questioning if this act of violence, war, and the fearful pledge to kill is

Today, Human right groups estimate that there are at least if not more than 300,000 child soldiers worldwide. In poorer countries, there are more child soldiers because they fight of land, minerals and drugs. Even though the kids are the perfect weapons for these civil wars in poorer countries, because they are easily manipulated, extremely loyal, fearless and most importantly endless supply; there should not be kids fighting for their country unless they are 18 because of the physical and psychological problems.

Although it is illegal, child soldiers are being forced to do unwanted jobs, however there are organizations that can help these children. These organization have gone out of there way to help children in dangerous situations. There are many countries that are being affected by this epidemic. All of the children affected are either run by the government or used in rebel groups.

It has been observed that when interviewed, almost all the children living in war zones or near war zones are constantly in fear of becoming a child soldier. This is no way to live, life should be about pursuing happiness, not constantly watching for men coming to take a child away. There have been many different proposals to try and stop the use of child soldiers, but this is such a widespread problem that it is difficult to fix. New ideas are presented every day that may have the potential to stop the war crime that is using child soldiers. Cultures of Resistance Network have been endlessly fighting to stop the use of child soldiers. They have been working alongside the UN to create a law making it a crime to have children fight in wars. The website explained how they are working towards this goal, “One of Child Soldiers International's major goals is to promote the widespread adoption of international legal standards—including those enshrined in relevant sections of the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child—prohibiting the military recruitment and use in hostilities of any person younger than eighteen years of age. The organization further works to promote the recognition and enforcement of these standards by all armed groups, both governmental and non-governmental” (End the Use of Child Soldiers). This new idea of creating a law that applies to every country is very possible solution. This idea is still in the early stages, so it is unclear whether it will be passed, but this has the potential to make a great difference. Getting these children out of war and into a safe place will be better for the future of the world. Another, similar way that the UN is working

When it comes to the topic of child soldiers, most people would agree that just creating laws will help the children, but when there is no one enforcing the laws the children are not being protected from the war. The article Reading, Writing, and Warfare: Children in Armed Conflict argues that just creating laws is not going to help the child soldiers. In order for the situation to improve, there needs to be actions instead of just rulemaking. The article Reading, Writing, and Warfare: Children in Armed Conflict quoted Olara Otunnu explaining that only making laws is not going to save children: "Words on paper cannot save children in peril." Infact, the number of children soldiers in Yemen has increased despite the fact that the rebel Houthi group had agreed to stop using children soldiers (Alfred).

In our society, we have many issues, but there is one issue that I will be discussing it is child soldiers.Child soldiers are children who are under the age of 18 who are recruited by a state or non-state armed groups and used as fighters, cooks, suicide bombers, human shields, messengers, spies.Found in many countries, for example, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen.These are some of the countries that have child soldiers.All these countries 40% and above of their population are 15-year-olds which forces them to have child soldiers.Because their population for adults is way too low.Since 1998 there have been armed events including child soldiers in at least 36 district

Children from almost every region of the world are illegally serving in armed conflict around the world. In the last 2 years, 20 states have been reported to have child soldiers in government, government-affiliated, and non-state armed groups (“11 Facts About Child Soldiers”). Children should not be affiliated with war and should be protected from those who act otherwise because children have no understanding of life and deserve a life of freedom. Children are stripped of their youth to participate in dangerous and violent activities out of their free will, even if they were to be saved, they would still carry scars and bad habits that would prevent them from living a normal life. These children are our future generations and should be protected and well raised.

What were your memories from your childhood? Probably things like playing outside with your friends, sleepovers, having imaginary friends or pulling your first all nighter. Being in war probably did not come up on your list, but for some people it would. These people were recruited into war as young as 6 years old. I think this is a big problem because people should say their memories were playing with their friends, not shooting people and clearing mine fields.