When did it become illegal? Which law prohibits it?
Human rights law declares 18 as the minimum legal age for recruitment and use of children in hostilities. Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law – treaty and custom – and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
What effects it has on children and their families
They witness or commit horrifying atrocities such as rape, beheading, amputations and burning people alive. If children are lucky enough to survive their military experience they still have to face many challenges. They have to deal with many mental problems and lack basic survival skills as their armies provide them with food and shelter.
There are direct attempts by armed forces to destroy relationships between abducted children and their families and communities. It can be achieved by forcing the children to kill their own family members. Even after they get back to their communities, the trust is gone. People might be scared of them and not accept them. With the help of organizations such as the UNICEF, child soldiers are able to build healthy relationships with their families and communities.
What parts of the world have the most number of child soldiers?
2004 Global Report
A few of the countries who have reported use of child soldiers since 2011 are Afghanistan, Colombia, India, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Thailand, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Do they use girls as soldiers?
About 30 percent of armed groups using children include girls. Often they are also subjected to sexual abuse and sometimes are taken as mistresses by army officials.
India, Jharkhand - They have interviewed a girl asking her about her training. The case study found out that children are taught different subjects(mathematics, science, mao ideology) and after they are 12 years old they are asked what weapon they want to train with.
What do the children have to say?
A lot of times children don’t understand what they are being used for as they are pretty young when the training starts. By the time they realize the causes and effects they are frustrated and go against their leaders but it’s too late. Only a few manage to run away but have a fear of losing their lives as it’s in danger. Often children are scared to undertake such questions.
It is important to highlight the fact that prior to the above-cited protocol passed in 2002, the minimum age for participating in the armed conflict was fifteen, according to the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 additional protocols. However, critics have insisted that cultural standards of maturity must be taken into consideration when reporting on cases of child soldiers.
Human rights law declares 18 as the minimum legal age for recruitment and use of children in hostilities. Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law – treaty and custom – and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
What effects it has on children and their families
They witness or commit horrifying atrocities such as rape, beheading, amputations and burning people alive. If children are lucky enough to survive their military experience they still have to face many challenges. They have to deal with many mental problems and lack basic survival skills as their armies provide them with food and shelter.
There are direct attempts by armed forces to destroy relationships between abducted children and their families and communities. It can be achieved by forcing the children to kill their own family members. Even after they get back to their communities, the trust is gone. People might be scared of them and not accept them. With the help of organizations such as the UNICEF, child soldiers are able to build healthy relationships with their families and communities.
What parts of the world have the most number of child soldiers?
2004 Global Report
- Burundi
- Colombia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Myanmar
- Uganda
A few of the countries who have reported use of child soldiers since 2011 are Afghanistan, Colombia, India, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Thailand, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Do they use girls as soldiers?
About 30 percent of armed groups using children include girls. Often they are also subjected to sexual abuse and sometimes are taken as mistresses by army officials.
India, Jharkhand - They have interviewed a girl asking her about her training. The case study found out that children are taught different subjects(mathematics, science, mao ideology) and after they are 12 years old they are asked what weapon they want to train with.
What do the children have to say?
A lot of times children don’t understand what they are being used for as they are pretty young when the training starts. By the time they realize the causes and effects they are frustrated and go against their leaders but it’s too late. Only a few manage to run away but have a fear of losing their lives as it’s in danger. Often children are scared to undertake such questions.
It is important to highlight the fact that prior to the above-cited protocol passed in 2002, the minimum age for participating in the armed conflict was fifteen, according to the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 additional protocols. However, critics have insisted that cultural standards of maturity must be taken into consideration when reporting on cases of child soldiers.