The document discusses child soldiering and international efforts to address it. It begins by providing context on child soldiering as a historical phenomenon and estimates that 300,000 children currently serve as soldiers worldwide. It then outlines international legal frameworks like the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court, and UN initiatives to monitor and address the issue. It discusses how child soldiers are recruited and used, countries where the problem is most prevalent, and challenges to rehabilitation. It also summarizes key international court cases prosecuting crimes of enlisting child soldiers and efforts of the ICC and Trust Fund for Victims to support victims.
Three key points from the document:
1) Children in Yemen face severe malnutrition and lack access to adequate food, with the average household consuming significantly less grains, meat, and eggs compared to previous monitoring periods. Over 45% of households reported family members going to bed hungry.
2) Child protection is a major concern, with over 38% of children afraid to play outside due to non-political murder cases increasing fear. This number rose sharply in Hodeida where 55% of children now feel afraid.
3) Basic indicators of food security and nutrition for Yemen's children are alarmingly low and deteriorating further, with protein intake for children under 5 almost non-existent in rural areas. The humanitarian crisis
Strengthening Filipino Students Towards GlobalizationMarlyn Allanigue
The document discusses the Philippine educational system and challenges faced by Filipino students. It notes that the Philippine constitution emphasizes free public education and the government is making efforts to improve the education system. However, there continue to be issues that limit access to education such as poverty, high dropout rates, lack of resources, and fees imposed in public schools. The document also outlines the rights and responsibilities of students as well as disciplinary actions that can be taken in schools.
This document provides a summary of major news events from around the world in 2017 as captured through Reuters photographs. Some of the key events covered include: the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis; protests and unrest in Venezuela; natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires; North Korea's missile tests; the inauguration of Donald Trump and women's marches; and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The photos offer a visual overview of the people, places, and significant happenings that shaped 2017 globally.
This document provides a summary of the history and evolution of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) over several decades. It describes how UNICEF was originally established in 1946 to provide emergency relief to children in war-torn Europe. It then expanded its mission to helping children worldwide, focusing on combating diseases and improving child health, nutrition, and education. The document highlights how in the 1980s under Executive Director James Grant, UNICEF adopted an ambitious goal of cutting worldwide child mortality in half by prioritizing simple and cost-effective interventions like breastfeeding promotion, oral rehydration, immunizations, and growth monitoring (the "GOBI" program). This strategic shift helped UNICEF generate significant
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has had a profound influence since its adoption 30 years ago. It established that all children have universal, inalienable rights regardless of their background. As a result of the Convention, child mortality has declined dramatically, more children are in school, and children are increasingly seen as rights holders rather than passive objects of aid. However, challenges remain in fully realizing children's rights, especially for the most marginalized. Progress must be accelerated to achieve the vision of the Convention by its 30th anniversary and beyond.
Bahr Idriss Abu Garda voluntarily appeared before the International Criminal Court, becoming the first suspect to do so. He is charged with three counts of war crimes related to an attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007. While Abu Garda claims he was not present, appearing in court may undermine his opponents in Darfur rebel groups. He will next appear for a confirmation of charges hearing in October.
This document compares victims' rights in US criminal proceedings and at the International Criminal Court (ICC). In the US, the victims' rights movement has advanced victims' participation, including allowing impact statements at sentencing. However, victims generally have a limited and passive role compared to the ICC. At the ICC, victims can be recognized as participants, obtain legal representation, question defendants, and seek reparations. While both systems allow compensation, the ICC also has a Trust Fund for Victims to provide assistance. Overall, the ICC affords victims greater formal participation in criminal proceedings than the US system.
Three key points from the document:
1) Children in Yemen face severe malnutrition and lack access to adequate food, with the average household consuming significantly less grains, meat, and eggs compared to previous monitoring periods. Over 45% of households reported family members going to bed hungry.
2) Child protection is a major concern, with over 38% of children afraid to play outside due to non-political murder cases increasing fear. This number rose sharply in Hodeida where 55% of children now feel afraid.
3) Basic indicators of food security and nutrition for Yemen's children are alarmingly low and deteriorating further, with protein intake for children under 5 almost non-existent in rural areas. The humanitarian crisis
Strengthening Filipino Students Towards GlobalizationMarlyn Allanigue
The document discusses the Philippine educational system and challenges faced by Filipino students. It notes that the Philippine constitution emphasizes free public education and the government is making efforts to improve the education system. However, there continue to be issues that limit access to education such as poverty, high dropout rates, lack of resources, and fees imposed in public schools. The document also outlines the rights and responsibilities of students as well as disciplinary actions that can be taken in schools.
This document provides a summary of major news events from around the world in 2017 as captured through Reuters photographs. Some of the key events covered include: the Syrian civil war and refugee crisis; protests and unrest in Venezuela; natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires; North Korea's missile tests; the inauguration of Donald Trump and women's marches; and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The photos offer a visual overview of the people, places, and significant happenings that shaped 2017 globally.
This document provides a summary of the history and evolution of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) over several decades. It describes how UNICEF was originally established in 1946 to provide emergency relief to children in war-torn Europe. It then expanded its mission to helping children worldwide, focusing on combating diseases and improving child health, nutrition, and education. The document highlights how in the 1980s under Executive Director James Grant, UNICEF adopted an ambitious goal of cutting worldwide child mortality in half by prioritizing simple and cost-effective interventions like breastfeeding promotion, oral rehydration, immunizations, and growth monitoring (the "GOBI" program). This strategic shift helped UNICEF generate significant
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has had a profound influence since its adoption 30 years ago. It established that all children have universal, inalienable rights regardless of their background. As a result of the Convention, child mortality has declined dramatically, more children are in school, and children are increasingly seen as rights holders rather than passive objects of aid. However, challenges remain in fully realizing children's rights, especially for the most marginalized. Progress must be accelerated to achieve the vision of the Convention by its 30th anniversary and beyond.
Bahr Idriss Abu Garda voluntarily appeared before the International Criminal Court, becoming the first suspect to do so. He is charged with three counts of war crimes related to an attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur in 2007. While Abu Garda claims he was not present, appearing in court may undermine his opponents in Darfur rebel groups. He will next appear for a confirmation of charges hearing in October.
This document compares victims' rights in US criminal proceedings and at the International Criminal Court (ICC). In the US, the victims' rights movement has advanced victims' participation, including allowing impact statements at sentencing. However, victims generally have a limited and passive role compared to the ICC. At the ICC, victims can be recognized as participants, obtain legal representation, question defendants, and seek reparations. While both systems allow compensation, the ICC also has a Trust Fund for Victims to provide assistance. Overall, the ICC affords victims greater formal participation in criminal proceedings than the US system.
Dokumen ini membahas empat jenis ayat perintah dalam bahasa Melayu, yaitu:
1. Ayat suruhan yang memberikan arahan
2. Ayat larangan yang melarang seseorang melakukan sesuatu
3. Ayat silaan yang mempersilakan atau menjemput seseorang
4. Ayat permintaan yang memohon permintaan dan pertolongan
The Nazarian family visited the University of Haifa library and an ongoing construction site. During their visit, they viewed artistic works by Soraya Nazarian in the library windows, a model of a heritage statue, and were given a presentation about a memorial website and scholarship program honoring the 121 soldiers who fell in the Second Lebanon War, which was established and funded by the Nazarian family's Ima Foundation. The family also toured the construction site and granted a certificate of appreciation to the library staff for the memorial website.
http://inarocket.com
Learn BEM fundamentals as fast as possible. What is BEM (Block, element, modifier), BEM syntax, how it works with a real example, etc.
The document discusses how personalization and dynamic content are becoming increasingly important on websites. It notes that 52% of marketers see content personalization as critical and 75% of consumers like it when brands personalize their content. However, personalization can create issues for search engine optimization as dynamic URLs and content are more difficult for search engines to index than static pages. The document provides tips for SEOs to help address these personalization and SEO challenges, such as using static URLs when possible and submitting accurate sitemaps.
How to Build a Dynamic Social Media PlanPost Planner
Stop guessing and wasting your time on networks and strategies that don’t work!
Join Rebekah Radice and Katie Lance to learn how to optimize your social networks, the best kept secrets for hot content, top time management tools, and much more!
Watch the replay here: bit.ly/socialmedia-plan
This document is a writing sample from Jae Hwa Shin for an international trafficking course. It is a 25-page research paper about the use of child soldiers in modern warfare and its ethical implications. The summary analyzes the history of child soldiering, noting that traditionally wars were fought by adults, but now over 300,000 children under 18 participate in conflicts. It also outlines the strengthening of international laws around child soldiering over the past few decades, including treaties that prohibit recruitment of those under 15 and define a child as under 18.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old due to factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and pressure from family or peers. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma. International organizations are working to establish laws and policies protecting children from involvement in armed conflicts, but the problem remains critical especially in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old to serve as combatants. Poverty, lack of access to education, promises of future opportunities, and family or peer pressure are common reasons why children become involved. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, abuse, and trauma, severely impacting their development and violating their rights. The international community has implemented laws and frameworks to address this issue and support organizations are working to prevent child soldier recruitment and rehabilitate former child soldiers.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old due to factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and pressure from family or peers. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma. International organizations have been working to establish laws banning the use of child soldiers and supporting rehabilitation for former child soldiers.
The document discusses the plight of children and youth affected by armed conflict. It notes that children experience suffering such as death, injury, lack of access to education and healthcare. While girls face disproportionate targeting, boys also experience sexual violence. The UN has worked to draw attention to these issues and protect children's rights through the appointment of a Special Representative and cooperation between agencies. Notable progress includes the release of thousands of child soldiers and a commitment to impose sanctions on persistent violators of children's rights.
The document provides an overview of the organization Invisible Children and their efforts to help children affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in northern Uganda. It discusses how the LRA abducted children and forced them to become child soldiers, and the human rights abuses this caused. Invisible Children aims to create safe schools for these children and raise awareness about their plight through videos, bracelet campaigns, and educational presentations.
This document provides an overview of child trafficking in Cameroon. It defines key terms, including defining a child as anyone under 18 years old. It discusses how child trafficking takes many forms in Cameroon, with children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. While laws and international agreements exist to combat trafficking, it remains a significant problem, especially in rural areas of the South West Region. The document aims to examine why high rates of child trafficking persist in this region despite protections.
The document discusses two topics: child soldiers in Angola during the Angolan Civil War from 1988 and the refugee crisis in El Salvador. It details how both sides in the Angolan conflict, the MPLA and UNITA, recruited thousands of child soldiers due to a declining education system and poor economic conditions caused by the long-running civil war. Many child soldiers faced abuse and traumatic experiences. It also provides background context on the conflicts.
Grave violations are being committed against children in over 20 war-affected countries, where they are killed, maimed, orphaned, abducted, deprived of education and healthcare, and sexually abused. Hundreds of thousands of children have been recruited by armed groups. The UN works to protect children through the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, who advocates for children's rights and protection. Significant progress has been made through international agreements and actions by the UN Security Council to pressure armed groups to release children and end violations.
Child soldiers are a major issue in Sudan, where up to 300,000 children under 18 serve in armed groups. Children as young as 8 are used as soldiers, porters, cooks, and more, and face being sent to the front lines or into minefields. Girls may be raped or given as wives to commanders. Children are vulnerable to recruitment due to manipulation, and join due to pressure, seeking food or security. The use of child soldiers is an issue across Africa. The Sudanese civil war has involved child soldiers since 1983 and stems from tensions between northern and southern Sudan when Britain ruled.
The Legal Status of Children in Terrorism.pdfCecilia Polizzi
In this report, the CRTG Working Group addresses one of the most critical legal challenges pertaining to #children in #terrorism. How to classify and treat children associated with extremist actors? Are these children victims, perpetrators, or both? We offer guidance to policymakers and justice professionals in legal status determination, applicable frameworks, and intervention measures.
Main discussion outcomes:
- Children recruited and used by terrorist and violent extremist actors shall be considered and treated primarily as victims.
- To consider and treat children primarily as victims does not imply leniency or that the child should be granted immunity for criminal acts. It rather speaks to the applicability of child rights and juvenile justice principles and standards for children in a counter-terrorism context.
- Victim status does not preclude the activation of channels within the criminal justice system, provided that the child is above the Minimum Age of Criminal Accountability.
- Effective counterterrorism and human rights are not to be interpreted as conflicting goals but rather as complementary and mutually reinforcing.
The Legal Status of Children in Terrorism.pdfCecilia Polizzi
OnDecember19,2022,theCRTGWorkingGrouphostedanExpertBriefingonTheLegalStatusofChildreninTerrorism: Philippine Processes and Practices by Ms. Tricia Clare Oco, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines. The purpose of this paper is to offer a series of recommendations to guide the efforts of policymakers and justice professionals in determining the legal status of children as well as the applicable legal frameworks and intervention measures. This guidance is the result of shared insights, lessons learned, practical examples, and policy recommendations from the joint meeting between the CRTG Working Group and Ms. Oco.
The document discusses strategies for preventing child recruitment in armed conflicts. It argues that long-term prevention requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes that lead children to join armed groups, including lack of access to education, employment, and participation in community affairs. Effective prevention also requires governments to uphold laws prohibiting child recruitment, control arms flows, ensure birth registration, and provide training for law enforcement. Communities and former child soldiers have important roles to play through initiatives that affirm protection of children and engage with armed groups. International support is needed to fund prevention programs and laws that keep children safe. The newsletter explores how different stakeholders can work together on prevention.
This document provides an overview of human rights topics discussed by a class, including:
- The creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 in response to World War II atrocities.
- Discussion of basic human rights like children's rights to education and protection, women's rights to equality and freedom from discrimination, and labor rights including the right to unionize.
- Nelson Mandela is highlighted as an icon of the struggle against human rights violations in South Africa during the apartheid era.
This thesis analyzes the mandatory reporting provisions in South Africa's Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 regarding child victims of trafficking for labour exploitation. It examines the challenges for laypersons in identifying child trafficking due to complex definitions. It assesses the reporting standard imposed and whether related processes uphold the best interests of the child. The research finds that while definitions pose difficulties, reporting and police powers can protect children if implemented properly. It recommends clarifying definitions and guidelines to strengthen identification and reporting of child trafficking situations.
Dokumen ini membahas empat jenis ayat perintah dalam bahasa Melayu, yaitu:
1. Ayat suruhan yang memberikan arahan
2. Ayat larangan yang melarang seseorang melakukan sesuatu
3. Ayat silaan yang mempersilakan atau menjemput seseorang
4. Ayat permintaan yang memohon permintaan dan pertolongan
The Nazarian family visited the University of Haifa library and an ongoing construction site. During their visit, they viewed artistic works by Soraya Nazarian in the library windows, a model of a heritage statue, and were given a presentation about a memorial website and scholarship program honoring the 121 soldiers who fell in the Second Lebanon War, which was established and funded by the Nazarian family's Ima Foundation. The family also toured the construction site and granted a certificate of appreciation to the library staff for the memorial website.
http://inarocket.com
Learn BEM fundamentals as fast as possible. What is BEM (Block, element, modifier), BEM syntax, how it works with a real example, etc.
The document discusses how personalization and dynamic content are becoming increasingly important on websites. It notes that 52% of marketers see content personalization as critical and 75% of consumers like it when brands personalize their content. However, personalization can create issues for search engine optimization as dynamic URLs and content are more difficult for search engines to index than static pages. The document provides tips for SEOs to help address these personalization and SEO challenges, such as using static URLs when possible and submitting accurate sitemaps.
How to Build a Dynamic Social Media PlanPost Planner
Stop guessing and wasting your time on networks and strategies that don’t work!
Join Rebekah Radice and Katie Lance to learn how to optimize your social networks, the best kept secrets for hot content, top time management tools, and much more!
Watch the replay here: bit.ly/socialmedia-plan
This document is a writing sample from Jae Hwa Shin for an international trafficking course. It is a 25-page research paper about the use of child soldiers in modern warfare and its ethical implications. The summary analyzes the history of child soldiering, noting that traditionally wars were fought by adults, but now over 300,000 children under 18 participate in conflicts. It also outlines the strengthening of international laws around child soldiering over the past few decades, including treaties that prohibit recruitment of those under 15 and define a child as under 18.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old due to factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and pressure from family or peers. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma. International organizations are working to establish laws and policies protecting children from involvement in armed conflicts, but the problem remains critical especially in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old to serve as combatants. Poverty, lack of access to education, promises of future opportunities, and family or peer pressure are common reasons why children become involved. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, abuse, and trauma, severely impacting their development and violating their rights. The international community has implemented laws and frameworks to address this issue and support organizations are working to prevent child soldier recruitment and rehabilitate former child soldiers.
There are approximately 250,000 child soldiers currently fighting in conflicts around the world. Children are forcibly abducted and recruited as young as 9 years old due to factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and pressure from family or peers. Once recruited, child soldiers are exposed to violence, killing, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma. International organizations have been working to establish laws banning the use of child soldiers and supporting rehabilitation for former child soldiers.
The document discusses the plight of children and youth affected by armed conflict. It notes that children experience suffering such as death, injury, lack of access to education and healthcare. While girls face disproportionate targeting, boys also experience sexual violence. The UN has worked to draw attention to these issues and protect children's rights through the appointment of a Special Representative and cooperation between agencies. Notable progress includes the release of thousands of child soldiers and a commitment to impose sanctions on persistent violators of children's rights.
The document provides an overview of the organization Invisible Children and their efforts to help children affected by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) conflict in northern Uganda. It discusses how the LRA abducted children and forced them to become child soldiers, and the human rights abuses this caused. Invisible Children aims to create safe schools for these children and raise awareness about their plight through videos, bracelet campaigns, and educational presentations.
This document provides an overview of child trafficking in Cameroon. It defines key terms, including defining a child as anyone under 18 years old. It discusses how child trafficking takes many forms in Cameroon, with children trafficked for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. While laws and international agreements exist to combat trafficking, it remains a significant problem, especially in rural areas of the South West Region. The document aims to examine why high rates of child trafficking persist in this region despite protections.
The document discusses two topics: child soldiers in Angola during the Angolan Civil War from 1988 and the refugee crisis in El Salvador. It details how both sides in the Angolan conflict, the MPLA and UNITA, recruited thousands of child soldiers due to a declining education system and poor economic conditions caused by the long-running civil war. Many child soldiers faced abuse and traumatic experiences. It also provides background context on the conflicts.
Grave violations are being committed against children in over 20 war-affected countries, where they are killed, maimed, orphaned, abducted, deprived of education and healthcare, and sexually abused. Hundreds of thousands of children have been recruited by armed groups. The UN works to protect children through the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, who advocates for children's rights and protection. Significant progress has been made through international agreements and actions by the UN Security Council to pressure armed groups to release children and end violations.
Child soldiers are a major issue in Sudan, where up to 300,000 children under 18 serve in armed groups. Children as young as 8 are used as soldiers, porters, cooks, and more, and face being sent to the front lines or into minefields. Girls may be raped or given as wives to commanders. Children are vulnerable to recruitment due to manipulation, and join due to pressure, seeking food or security. The use of child soldiers is an issue across Africa. The Sudanese civil war has involved child soldiers since 1983 and stems from tensions between northern and southern Sudan when Britain ruled.
The Legal Status of Children in Terrorism.pdfCecilia Polizzi
In this report, the CRTG Working Group addresses one of the most critical legal challenges pertaining to #children in #terrorism. How to classify and treat children associated with extremist actors? Are these children victims, perpetrators, or both? We offer guidance to policymakers and justice professionals in legal status determination, applicable frameworks, and intervention measures.
Main discussion outcomes:
- Children recruited and used by terrorist and violent extremist actors shall be considered and treated primarily as victims.
- To consider and treat children primarily as victims does not imply leniency or that the child should be granted immunity for criminal acts. It rather speaks to the applicability of child rights and juvenile justice principles and standards for children in a counter-terrorism context.
- Victim status does not preclude the activation of channels within the criminal justice system, provided that the child is above the Minimum Age of Criminal Accountability.
- Effective counterterrorism and human rights are not to be interpreted as conflicting goals but rather as complementary and mutually reinforcing.
The Legal Status of Children in Terrorism.pdfCecilia Polizzi
OnDecember19,2022,theCRTGWorkingGrouphostedanExpertBriefingonTheLegalStatusofChildreninTerrorism: Philippine Processes and Practices by Ms. Tricia Clare Oco, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines. The purpose of this paper is to offer a series of recommendations to guide the efforts of policymakers and justice professionals in determining the legal status of children as well as the applicable legal frameworks and intervention measures. This guidance is the result of shared insights, lessons learned, practical examples, and policy recommendations from the joint meeting between the CRTG Working Group and Ms. Oco.
The document discusses strategies for preventing child recruitment in armed conflicts. It argues that long-term prevention requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes that lead children to join armed groups, including lack of access to education, employment, and participation in community affairs. Effective prevention also requires governments to uphold laws prohibiting child recruitment, control arms flows, ensure birth registration, and provide training for law enforcement. Communities and former child soldiers have important roles to play through initiatives that affirm protection of children and engage with armed groups. International support is needed to fund prevention programs and laws that keep children safe. The newsletter explores how different stakeholders can work together on prevention.
This document provides an overview of human rights topics discussed by a class, including:
- The creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 in response to World War II atrocities.
- Discussion of basic human rights like children's rights to education and protection, women's rights to equality and freedom from discrimination, and labor rights including the right to unionize.
- Nelson Mandela is highlighted as an icon of the struggle against human rights violations in South Africa during the apartheid era.
This thesis analyzes the mandatory reporting provisions in South Africa's Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 regarding child victims of trafficking for labour exploitation. It examines the challenges for laypersons in identifying child trafficking due to complex definitions. It assesses the reporting standard imposed and whether related processes uphold the best interests of the child. The research finds that while definitions pose difficulties, reporting and police powers can protect children if implemented properly. It recommends clarifying definitions and guidelines to strengthen identification and reporting of child trafficking situations.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child outlines the basic human rights of all children under age 18 in 3 sentences or less:
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states the rights of all children and young people under the age of 18, including their rights to survival, development, protection from harm and participation in important decisions that affect them. It also covers children's rights to an education, play, privacy, freedom of expression and a decent standard of living. The Convention aims to help children grow up safely and healthily so they can reach their full potential.
Protection of Children in context of IHL and Counter TerrorismNilendra Kumar
Women and children need to be fully protected during armed conflict situations. Further, children are not to be recruited or employed in armed conflicts. IHL provisions are specific and clear in this regard. This presentation would highlight the law in this regard.
This document discusses the history and development of human rights. It notes that the concept of universal human rights is relatively new, emerging after World War II, but that many cultures and religions throughout history have discussed concepts like dignity, justice and duties toward others. The document outlines some early examples of codes of conduct from societies like the Inca, Aztec and Iroquois that addressed these issues. It also briefly discusses the modern international framework for defining and protecting human rights.
The document discusses several key issues relating to children and armed conflict, including the impact of war on children, applicable international laws and legal developments, and main stakeholders responsible for protecting children. It outlines six grave violations against children that the UN Security Council monitors. The document also reviews policy developments to protect war-affected children and lists several main thematic issues, such as child soldiers, displaced children, and children's changing roles in peace processes.
The document compares criminal procedures in US federal courts and at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both systems have similar stages in the criminal process including investigation, application for an arrest warrant from a judicial body, arrest, initial detention hearing, and formal charges. However, the ICC relies on state parties for arrests while the US uses law enforcement. The ICC also does not have jury trials like the US. Overall, both systems aim to protect defendants' rights during criminal proceedings.
The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) assists victims of crimes addressed by the International Criminal Court. It was established in 2002 when the Rome Statute created the ICC. The TFV is governed by a 5-member board elected by States Parties and oversees programs that provide psychological support, material assistance, and rehabilitation to victims in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The TFV's funding comes from voluntary contributions as well as money collected from Court-ordered fines and forfeitures against convicted individuals.
The document discusses how treaties are ratified under US law and whether the Rome Statute is self-executing. It explains that for a treaty to have effect as domestic law, it must be self-executing or require no further legislation. While the Rome Statute does not explicitly require implementing legislation, the US would need to modify extradition laws to fully comply. However, complementarity under the Rome Statute does not require the US to adopt the same crimes into domestic law to claim jurisdiction. The US has incorporated some Rome Statute crimes already in military and domestic law.
The document discusses the non-renewal of the Nethercutt Amendment and its impact on the US bilateral immunity agreements (BIA) campaign. It notes that with the repeal of the Nethercutt provision and ASPA sanctions, no anti-ICC sanctions remain. However, the existing BIAs signed by the US are still valid. The BIAs were an attempt to protect Americans from ICC jurisdiction but were criticized for overreaching Article 98. Without sanctions, the US no longer has leverage to compel new BIAs or adherence to existing ones. The Obama administration has signaled greater cooperation with the ICC.
The ICC prosecutor is monitoring the situation in Kenya following the 2007 post-election violence where over 1,500 people were killed. In 2008, Kenya's main opposition party submitted communications to the ICC alleging crimes against humanity by the government. The ICC is analyzing information to determine if an investigation is warranted. Kenya has been working to establish a domestic tribunal to address the crimes.
The document discusses recommendations for establishing an independent oversight mechanism for the International Criminal Court (ICC). It proposes that the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) create such a mechanism to monitor the ICC's activities and ensure integrity, transparency, and adherence to professional standards. Previous steps toward this included appointing facilitators to consult with states and NGOs. The current recommendations are that the mechanism be independent of the ICC yet co-located with the Office of Internal Audit, and have authority to initiate investigations and receive whistleblower reports.
The ICC confirmed 5 of 8 charges against Jean-Pierre Bemba relating to war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by his troops in the Central African Republic from 2002-2003. While leading evidence was found for murder, rape and pillaging charges, evidence was insufficient for torture and crimes against personal dignity. The prosecution argued Bemba was criminally responsible as commander by ordering the crimes, while the defense argued troops were under CAR's control and Bemba lacked intent. Victims provided testimony about the harms experienced.
The document provides an analysis of the ICC arrest warrant issued for Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, for his alleged role in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur from 2003 to 2008. It discusses the requirements for issuing an arrest warrant under the Rome Statute and analyzes whether those requirements were met. Specifically, it examines whether there were reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed in Darfur, whether Bashir incurred criminal liability as a co-perpetrator, and whether his arrest was necessary. It finds the evidence showed a non-international armed conflict in Darfur between Sudanese government forces and rebel groups, and that Bashir used state apparatus to direct widespread and systematic
The Rome Statute established the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes crimes of sexual violence and recognizes acts of sexual and gender violence as crimes. It aims to protect witnesses and victims of such crimes and provide support programs. The statute was a result of debates between organizations and governments. It expanded the definition of sexual violence beyond rape and the ICC has taken on cases involving crimes of sexual violence to end impunity for such crimes during conflicts.
The International Criminal Court's Office of the Prosecutor has been monitoring allegations of war crimes committed in Afghanistan by US nationals and others since 2008. The Prosecutor has not opened a formal investigation yet but would need to present evidence to the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber. The ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Afghanistan since May 2003 when Afghanistan became a State Party. However, bilateral agreements between the US and Afghanistan require extraditing US nationals back to the US rather than the ICC. At this time, an ICC investigation is unlikely given the Obama administration's encouragement of other investigations and the lack of statements from the Prosecutor regarding an investigation.
1. THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT:
PROSECUTING THE CRIME OF ENLISTING AND CONSCRIPTING CHILD SOLDIERS
I would like to give you a message. Please do your best to tell the world what is happening to us,
the children. So that other children don't have to pass through this violence.
- A young girl who escaped the LRA in Uganda.1
Child soldiering is not a new phenomenon; in fact, children have been used in conflict from Sparta to Hitler’s
Youth. Even the US recruited boys, known as “drummer boys,” during the Civil War. Their drum rolls told the
army when to eat, sleep and march. Today, approximately 300,000 children are engaged in conflict worldwide.2
The message from the children to the free world is to listen, “So that other children don't have to pass through
this violence.” 3 The international community has responded by adopting the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, the Optional Protocol to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1998 Rome Statute that
established the International Criminal Court (ICC). In addition, the UN has monitored the situation of children
in armed conflict and it established a Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict. Since 2006, this
position has been held by Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, who was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan and reappointed in February 2007 by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.4 This position was created in
response to the 1996 Landmark UN Report, “Impact of Armed Conflict on Children.”5 The report is known as
the Machel study, named after its author, Graca Machel.
This paper will explain who child soldiers are and why they are recruited. Further, it will explore the progress
made by the international community and the US in stopping the recruitment and use of children in armed
conflict. In addition, it will describe why protecting children from recruitment is so difficult. Finally, it will
explain the difficult process of rehabilitating and reintegrating former child soldiers.
Who Are Child Soldiers and Who Uses Them?
A child soldier is a person under the age of 18 who directly or indirectly participates in armed conflict.6 The
majority of children recruited are involved in armed political groups including: government backed paramilitary
groups, militias, self-defense units and ethnic, religious or clan-based groups.7
1
African child soldiers: Why, how and can they be stopped from being used!, available at
http://www.ssn.flindders.edu.au/global/africa/zevcosti/index.htm.
2
See UNICEF, Child Soldiers, available at http://www.unicef.org/emerg/index_childsoldiers.html.
3
African child soldiers: Why, how and can they be stopped from being used!, available at
http://www.ssn.flindders.edu.au/global/africa/zevcosti/index.htm.
4
See Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, available at
http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/machelreports.html.
5
Id.
6
UNICEF, Child Soldiers, available at http://www.unicef.org/emerg/index_childsoldiers.html.
7
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Some Facts, May 6, 2009, available at http://www.child-soliders.org/childoslers/some-
facts.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
2. During conflict, children are easily recruited because they are often neglected, abandoned or orphaned.8
Children are lured into these groups by social causes, religious freedoms and ideas of national liberation.9
However, not all children join willingly; therefore, groups abduct children from schools, marketplaces, homes
and hospitals. Once abducted, groups force children to attack men, women and children in order to desensitize
them to violence.10 Children who do not attack on command are executed or beaten; therefore, most children
commit unspeakable acts when ordered by commanders. After following these orders, many children believe
they will no longer be accepted by their communities. Within the camps, children work as porters, cooks,
guards, messengers, spies, fighters, landmine detectors and sex slaves.11
Half of the approximately 300,000 child soldiers worldwide are in the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. 12 However, this crisis
extends far beyond Africa into Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Today, 56 governments and
armed groups in 14 countries are currently violating international laws prohibiting the recruitment and use of
children as soldiers.
On March 26, 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon reported to the Security Council that Afghanistan,
Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines use child soldiers.13 In addition, Burma, Chad and the DRC have
consistently violated international laws prohibiting the use of child soldiers. Moreover, groups including the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
and The National Liberation Army (ELN) in Colombia and The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda
have consistently violated international laws prohibiting the use of child soldiers.14 However, progress has been
made with the recent release of children in Burundi, CAR, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC and Uganda.15
8
See id.
9
See UNICEF, Child Soldiers, available at http://www.unicef.org/emerg/index_childsoldiers.html.
10
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Child Soldiers, available at
http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/childsoldiers.html.
11
Michael Klare, Conflict Topics: Child Soldiers, Program in Peace and World Security Studies (PAWSS), available at
http://pawss.hampshire.edu/topics/childsoldiers/.
12
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Frequently Asked Questions, available at
http://www.child-soldiers.org/child-soldiers/questions-and-answers.
13
United Nations General Assembly, Children in Armed Conflict, March 26, 2009, available at http://www.un.org/ga/.
14
Human Rights Watch, UN: Punish Abuse of Children in War, April 28, 2009, available at
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/04/28/un-punish-abuse-children-war.
15
UN News Service, Ban Calls for Greater Efforts to Protect Children in Armed Conflict in Latest Report, April 22, 2009, available at
http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=30567.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
3. Reactions to Child Soldiering
Early on when my brothers and I were captured, the LRA explained to us that all five brothers
couldn’t serve in the LRA because we would not perform well. So they tied up my two younger
brothers and invited us to watch. Then they beat them with sticks until the [two] of them died.
They told us it would give us strength to fight; my youngest brother was nine years old.
- Former child soldier from Uganda.16
The international response to child soldiering includes the adoption of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the
Child. It defines a child as an individual under the age of 18. It establishes that children have the right to
support, education and protection during conflict. It requires governments to apply international humanitarian
law to protect children from exploitation, violence, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.17
On May 25, 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted the Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child
Convention. The Optional Protocol strengthens the convention by requiring governments to change the
minimum age for military recruitment from 15 to 18. It also requires States to adjust the minimum voluntary
enlistment age from 16 to 18. Further, it requires States to provide technical and financial support to stop the
recruitment of children. However, it allows a government to accept voluntary recruitment of a 17 year-old if
consent is given by a parent or legal guardian.18
Special Court for Sierra Leone
When they came to my village, they asked my older brother whether he was ready to join the
militia. He was just 17 and he said no; they shot him in the head. Then they asked me if I was
ready to sign, so what could I do - I didn’t want to die.
- Former child soldier from the DRC19
In 2002, the UN and the Government of Sierra Leone established the Special Court for Sierra Leone which,
unlike previous courts, could prosecute individuals for using children in conflict as a violation of international
humanitarian law. The Special Court for Sierra Leone reasoned that the Geneva Conventions, the Convention
on the Rights of the Child and the Rome Statute codified already existing international humanitarian law;
therefore, the use of child soldiers was considered a crime under international humanitarian law and thus within
its jurisdiction.20
16
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Voices of Young Soldiers, BBC report, available at
http://www.child-soliders.org/childsoliders/voices-of-young-soldiers.
17
UNICEF, Convention on the Rights of the Child: Protection rights: Keeping safe from harm, available at
http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Protection_list.pdf.
18
See UNICEF, Child Soldiers, available at http://www.unicef.org/emerg/index_childsoldiers.html.
19
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Voices of Young Soldiers, BBC report, available at
http://www.child-soliders.org/childsoliders/voices-of-young-soldiers.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
4. The Special Court for Sierra Leone issued its first indictments in June 2003. These indictments included
conscripting, enlisting or using children under the age of 15 in hostilities. In August 2007, the Special Court for
Sierra Leone found Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu guilty of war crimes,
including the use of children in conflict. All three men were sentenced to 45 years in prison. Currently, the
Special Court for Sierra Leone is prosecuting the former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor for using
child soldiers, among other crimes.
The International Criminal Court
The 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) includes child soldiering as a war crime. The
Statute prohibits national forces or other groups from conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15
whether or not directly taking part in conflict. The crime of conscripting children under 15 is considered a war
crime in either international or non-international conflicts.
The Court, established in 2002, began investigating crimes within its jurisdiction in 2003. The investigations
include the DRC, CAR, Uganda and Darfur. The first case to be brought before the Court involves the DRC
and the use of children as soldiers. Currently, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo
Chui are in custody and charged with war crimes including conscripting children under the age of 15 to take
part in hostilities.
In January 2009, the Court opened the trial of Thomas Lubanga, the alleged commander of the Forces
Patriotique pour la Liberation du Congo (FPLC). The Court has set September 24, 2009, as the start date for
the trial of Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui. The Court has a case open against four individuals
from Northern Uganda, all of whom face charges of conscripting children under the age of 15. However, all
four suspects remain at large.
The ICC and promoting victim participation. In response to the sensitive nature of cases within its
jurisdiction, the Court has established safeguards to protect the rights of both defendants and victims. The
safeguards include voice and face distortion for witnesses who testify at trial. These safeguards are for the
benefit of the witness only. Witnesses in the Lubanga trial have testified in separate rooms with face and voice
distortion and were assisted by the Victims and Witness Unit of the Court.
However, the prosecution must disclose the identity of the witnesses it wishes to call at trial in order to allow
the defense to prepare an adequate defense. Nevertheless, in limited situations the prosecution is permitted to
wait longer before disclosing information to the defense usually to protect the safety of the witness. Former
child soldiers are especially vulnerable to intimidation, threats and possible retaliation; therefore, the ICC
safeguards are essential to encourage them to testify.
Dr. Elisabeth Schauer, an expert witness in the Lubanga trial, testified to the psychological effects of conflict
on children. Dr. Schauer conducted a study of children exposed to the conflict in Northern Uganda, The
Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering.21 Based on her findings, she believes it is important for children to
21
Elizabeth Schauer, PhD, The Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering, April 7, 2009, pp. 34-38, available at
http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/doc/doc636752.pdf.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
5. feel safe when testifying against the accused. She suggests that they testify in separate rooms from the accused
or using a sight barrier such as a person or screen. Additionally, she suggests that children be encouraged while
testifying with words of praise such as, “thank you, your account is very helpful.”
Even with safeguards in place, Witness 1 recanted his testimony during the first week of the Lubanga trial.
Witness 1 did not know he could potentially face prosecution under Congolese law if he incriminated himself
while testifying before the Court. Unlike the ICC, Congolese law permits the prosecution of former child
soldiers for crimes committed while under the age of 18.22 However, Witness 1 completed testifying after
speaking with the prosecution. Most likely, the prosecution explained that in order to be subject to prosecution
Witness 1 would need to incriminate himself while testifying. The prosecution has learned from its early
mistake to fully inform witnesses. All subsequent prosecution witnesses have successfully testified in the
Lubanga case.
Trust Fund for Victims. In September 2002, the ICC established the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) to further
assist victims and families in rebuilding their lives and communities. The TFV’s mission is to support programs
which address the harm resulting from crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC by assisting victims to return to
a dignified and contributory life within their communities.23
The mandate of the TFV is set out in Articles 47 and 79(2) of the Rome Statute and in Rule 98(5) of the Court’s
Rules of Evidence and Procedure. The Court, pursuant to Article 79(2), may order money and other property
collected through fines or forfeiture to be transferred to the TFV. Under Article 79, Rule 98(5) allows the
resources of the TFV to be used for the benefit of the victims. Article 47 includes psychological or physical
rehabilitation and material support as a benefit.24
At this time, projects are underway in the DRC and Northern Uganda to assist with the psychological support
and material support for ex-child soldiers and abducted children.25 The funds for these projects are collected
through voluntary contributions by agreements; however, non-governmental donations are accepted so long as
the donations benefit victims and are non-discriminatory. Additionally, the TFV provides grants for approved
projects provided field assessments are carried out to ensure a project directly addresses the harm caused by
conflict and targets the most vulnerable victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.26
22
Rachel Irwin, With First Witness Ruled Unable to Testify, Prosecution Scrambles, January 29, 2009, available at
http://www.lubangatrial.org/2009/01/29/with-first-witness-ruled-unable-to-testify-prosecution-scrambles/.
23
ICC Trust Fund for Victims, available at
http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/Structure+of+the+Court/Victims/Trust+Fund+for+Victims/.
24
See id.
25
ICC Trust Fund for Victims, Current Projects, available at
http://www.icccpi.int/Menus/ICC/Structure+of+the+Court/Victims/Trust+Fund+for+Victims/Current+Projects/.
26
See ICC Trust Fund for Victims, available at
http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/Structure+of+the+Court/Victims/Trust+Fund+for+Victims/.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
6. US Responses to Child Soldiering
The US must not be a safe haven for those who exploit children as soldiers. The use of children
as combatants is one of the most despicable human rights violations in the world today and
affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of boys and girls who are used as combatants, porters,
human mine detectors and sex slaves. The power to prosecute and punish those who violate the
law will send a clear signal that the US will in no way tolerate this abhorrent practice.
- Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.)
In 2008, the US House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously adopted the Child Soldiers
Accountability Act, proposed by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois.27 Under the Act, US courts may prosecute
individuals for the recruitment or use of children under the age of 15 regardless of whether the offense took
place in whole or in part in the US or if the perpetrator is a national of the US.
The US has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child but has not ratified it. Nevertheless, it has ratified
the Optional Protocol to the convention, thus committing itself not to use child soldiers. In the US, federal law
maintains the age for enlistment in the United States Military as 18; however, a child may enlist at 17 with
parental consent.28 A 17 year-old recruit is not permitted to engage in combat. Further, Canada, Latin America
and most of Europe permit the recruitment of children under 18 with parental or legal guardian consent. The
Optional Protocol permits recruitment of children under the age of 18 if consent is freely given by the child and
a parent or legal guardian.
Difficulties in Protecting Children in Armed Conflict
I was told to train. I would run…. They trained me to take guns apart and put them back together
again for four months…. They put someone in front of me to kill. I killed.
- A 14 year-old ex-child soldier
The nature of conflict has changed with the use of guerrillas and rebel groups, the targeting of civilians and the
easy access to lightweight arms, landmines and cluster munitions.29 In fact, civilians make up about 90% of
casualties in war. Moreover, half of these civilian casualties are children. Every year 8,000 to 10,000 children
are injured from landmines. To date, conflict has left 2.5 million children displaced, orphaned or abandoned. As
a result of greater access to small arms, cluster munitions and landmines, attacks at schools, hospitals, market
places and villages throughout Africa and beyond have become increasingly common and violent.30
27
Public Law 110-340, signed into law October 3, 2008.
28
10 U.S.C. § 505; Rod Powers, United States Military Enlistment Standards: Do You Qualify to Enlist in the United States
Military?, About.com, available at http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm.
29
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict, The Changing Nature of Conflict,
available at http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/the-changing-nature-of-conflict.html.
30
See id.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
7. Today, the word “army” includes militias, guerrillas, terrorist groups and national forces.31 These groups are
not under the control of governments and, even if backed by the governments, there is limited control. The lack
of control, information and accountability make it nearly impossible to know fully which groups are
conscripting children into the ranks. Many groups have become emboldened by the inability of national
governments to control their actions.
Signs of increasingly disturbing actions by militants, specifically by the Taliban in Pakistan, include the
training of approximately 5,000 children between 10 and 17 as suicide bombers in so called “suicide
nurseries.”32 Similarly, Al-Qaeda has been training women and children to carry out attacks against US troops
since 2005. The most appalling sign of emboldened violence involves Iraqi insurgents who strapped a young
girl with explosives and remotely detonated the explosives in May of 2008.33 In September 2008, a 15 year-old
boy blew himself up among pro-government militia members in northern Baghdad. In November, a 13 year-old
girl also blew herself up at a checkpoint in Ba’qubah.34
Continued Impunity
The Security Council has said it will consider sanctions against governments and armed groups
that refuse to end their use of child soldiers. Instead, it has allowed these crimes against children
to continue for years.
- Jo Becker, Human Rights Watch.35
A disturbing trend worldwide is the appointment of suspected war criminals to positions of power within
national governments and militaries. For example, military commanders, suspected of using child soldiers, are
now government officials in the DRC and Sri Lanka. In addition, General Bosco Ntaganda is wanted by the
ICC for enlisting child soldiers and using them in hostilities; however, he remains a member of the Congolese
army.
In the DRC, Jean-Pierre Biyoyo, a member of the DRC military, deserted in 2004 and joined the insurrection
movement, Front Social pour le Progrès (FSP). Between June 2004 and July 2005, Biyoyo committed crimes
for which he was expelled from the army and sentenced to death by the Military Tribunal in Bukavu on March
17, 2006 and again on January 12, 2007. However, Biyoyo escaped from prison twice and returned to Bukavu.
He declared himself a “lieutenant-colonel” in charge of reintegrating militiamen into the Congolese army. At
this time, Biyoyo is a member of the military and remains at large.36
31
Id.
32
Kids Trained to be Bombers, South Asian Pacific, April 30, 2009, available at
http://www.southasianpost.com/portal2/c1ee8c4220c4708e0120f8940af702ca_Kids_trained_to_be_bombers.do.html.
33
Thalif Deen, Recruiters of Child Soldiers Defy UN Pressure, Inter Press Service News Agency, April 30, 2009, available at
http://www.ipsnews.net/-romt.asp?idnews=46669.
34
See id.
35
Human Rights Watch, UN: Punish Abuse of Children in War, April 28, 2009, available at
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/04/28/un-punish-abuse-children-war.
36
Avocats Sans Frontières, ASF is concerned by the fact that Jean-Pierre Biyoyo remains at Large, May 2009, available at
http://www.asf.be/publications/ASF_RDC_Biyoyo_ENGL.pdf.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
8. In Sri Lanka, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, a former commander of the eastern division of LITTE, formed
his own army called the Karuna Group. This group is allied with the government and responsible for the
abductions and forcible recruitment of hundreds of children.37 In April 2009, Mr. Muralitharan was appointed
the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation.
The appointment of suspected war criminals to position of power does nothing to end the impunity and only
increases the likelihood that the use of child soldiers will continue. However, not all those affected by conflict
see the appointment of suspected criminals as impunity. In fact, cultural differences in Africa have shown that
international justice is not what all victims want. Instead, victims have said that peace should come before
justice.38 To achieve peace without justice could involve giving amnesty to alleged perpetrators. In addition to
varied opinions on the effectiveness of the Court, its presence has not shown any documented deterrence in the
recruitment of children by groups. Therefore the Court and the international community must address the
widespread impunity and reconcile cultural differences before deterrence can be achieved.
Challenges of Reintegration
They cut me and they put the cocaine, and after which they cover that with a plaster…. I valued
nothing and my head started turning. That was the time that the commander passed an order that
my mother should be shot. So the fellow, a small boy, shot at my mother twice, and my mother
started calling my name and she died finally.
- A child soldier from Sierra Leone.39
Dr. Elisabeth Schauer, as part of her expert testimony in the Lubanga case, explained the occurrence of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among former child soldiers. She highlighted a link between traumatic events
and psychiatric disorders. For child soldiers, a traumatic event is a situation where a person witnessed the death
or serious injury of others, was the victim of rape, or was forced to participate in violence.40
To determine the most common traumatic events experienced by child soldiers, Dr. Schauer’s and her
associates surveyed 1,114 children and young adults in IDP camps of Northern Uganda during 2007 and 2008.
The most common traumatic life events of children forcibly abducted included: being forced to skin, chop, or
cook dead bodies; forced to eat human flesh; forced to loot property and burn houses; forced to abduct children;
forced to kill; forced to beat, injure, or mutilate someone; causing serious injury to someone; carrying heavy
loads; giving birth in captivity; threats of being killed; witnessing mutilations of people; sexual assault, assault
with a weapon and physical assaults.41
37
Human Rights Watch, UN: Punish Abuse of Children in War, April 28, 2009, available at
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/04/28/un-punish-abuse-children-war.
38
Bill Carson and Tia Goldenberg, First ICC case could make African leaders ‘face the music,’ Monsters & Critics, January 29, 2007,
available at http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/features/printer_1253098.php.
39
Seeking reparation for torture survivors: Victims, Perpetrators or Heroes?, The Redress Trust, September 2006, available at
http://www.redress.org/publications/childsoldiers.pdf.
40
Expert Testimony of Dr. Elisabeth Schauer, ICC Public Hearing, April 7, 2009, available at
http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/doc/doc662611.pdf.
41
Elizabeth Schauer, PhD, The Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering, April 7, 2009, p. 11, available at
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
9. Dr. Schauer explained that repeated exposure to traumatic events can create the “building blocks” for PTSD.
Each new traumatic event is another “block” and, as the “blocks” stack up, victims are more likely to suffer
from depression later. Even if children are treated, the long term effects may never completely go away.
Similarly, former World War II prisoners reported suffering similar symptoms of depression. Even as time
passed, these prisoners had fewer occurrences of nightmares, flashbacks, and symptoms; however, they are
never completely cured.42
In addition, ex-child soldiers often suffer from drug addiction because African militias use drugs, specifically
hallucinogens during combat. After demobilization, former soldiers often continue to use drugs to deal with
symptoms of PTSD.43 This adds drug abuse as another factor in rehabilitation in addition to domestic violence,
alcoholism and lower productivity – all common among former child soldiers.
Further, women and girls face serious health risks from multiple rapes, difficult pregnancies and forced
abortions. While in captivity, pregnant women suffer from aggression, anxiety and depression which disrupt the
regulation of hormonal activity. The disruption of normal hormonal activity often affects the development of
the fetus.
Moreover, after demobilization women are often rejected by their families and communities. For example,
many cultures do not permit women to remarry once they are rescued from fighting. The shame of bearing
children out of wedlock is not only a shame for the child and mothers but also for the community. Many former
“wives” are forced to make a choice between their children and their communities if they wish to be welcomed
“home.”44
These women are far more likely to end up in abusive relationships or working as prostitutes because they are
viewed as “undesirable” and potentially infected with HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.45 A 14
year-old girl named Anna, was abducted in the DRC at age 12 and was forced to be a “bride” to soldiers and
cook, clean, and fight. Since UNICEF rescued her, she has lived with her grandmother and works as a prostitute
to support herself and her family.46
I joined SPLA when I was 13. I am from Bahr Al Bhazal. They demobilized me in 2001 and
took me to Rumbek, but I was given no demobilization documents. Now, I am stuck here
because my family was killed in a government attack and because the SPLA will re-recruit me.
At times I wonder why I am not going back to SPLA, half of my friends have and they seem to
be better off than me.
- A boy from Southern Sudan.
http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/doc/doc636752.pdf.
42
Id. at p.16.
43
Id. at p.18.
44
Id. at pp. 27-30.
45
Id. pp.6, 27-29.
46
The Problem of Reintegrating Child Soldiers, AllAfrica.com, April 12, 2005), available at
http://www.cyc-net.org/features/ft-soldiers.html.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org
10. As of March 2008, UNICEF has returned 1,500 children to their families. However, not all families will accept
the children because of their violent behavior. Some parents have turned to “medicating” children to control
their behaviors. Sadly, some children do not want to return to their families. In the Congo, one child upon being
demobilized said, “[w]hat will I do without my family? The army is my family.47”Groups like UNICEF have
sprung up around the world to help children reintegrate into communities. One such group, the Children of War
Center, opened in 1995, and has assisted child soldiers who fought with the LRA. This center has helped
rehabilitate 15,000 children since it opened its doors.48
Conclusion
The child soldiers gave a message to the world and we must listen, “[s]o that other children don't have to pass
through this violence”- a young girl who escaped the LRA in Uganda.49 In response to this message, the
international community has established international norms, tribunals and the ICC to stop the use of child
soldiers in conflict. Major achievements of the international community include the current prosecutions of
Thomas Lubanga by the ICC and of former Liberian President Charles Taylor by the Special Court for Sierra
Leone.
However, the international community must continue to punish those responsible for recruiting, enlisting and
forcibly abducting children to participate in hostilities. Further, governments must be pressured to end the
practice of rewarding suspected criminals with government positions. Governments that fail to comply with
ending the use of child soldiers must face serious consequences from the international community.
Finally, the international community must provide adequate rehabilitation to child soldiers so that they may be
successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. Reintegration programs for ex-child soldiers
cannot be limited to vocational training; instead, these programs must include psychological and emotional
counseling. In order to prevent re-recruitment children must be given the tools to succeed not only financially
but also emotionally in order to end the cycle of violence.
Researched and drafted by Lucia DiCicco
Updated June 5, 2009
47
See id.
48
Craig Kielburger and Marc Lielburger, Former child soldiers face psychological battle, May 4, 2009, available at
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/627688.
49
African child soldiers: Why, how and can they be stopped from being used!, available at
http://www.ssn.flindders.edu.au/global/africa/zevcosti/index.htm.
A program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
www.amicc.org