Arguments Against Child Soldiers

Justice systems are struggling to determine whether child soldiers should be treated as victims or predators. Some say if a child soldier is considered too young to fight then, he or she should be too young to be held criminally responsible for serious violations. Child soldiers lack the mental maturity to fully understand the implications of their actions.

Young children play an active part in conflicts around the world. The children face injury and death many are sexually abused. Those who do survive are seriously scarred emotionally from their experience.

Child soldiers shall not be prosecuted because many did not volunteer and many are under pressure. The use of children in war has happened throughout history as drummer boys and messengers. To most armies and militias children are cheap, compliant. Both boys and girls might be active soldiers. The girls are more at risk of rape, sexual harassment and abuse often recruited to be sex slaves.

The
majority of children at the age of 15 voluntarily join but many do not have an option. It's likely if the child is living in a conflict zone to want to fight to avenge violence. There are reports of children saying it's the pressure from family relatives. Children can be attracted by money offers for those in a conflict setting and not living with family are more vulnerable to the recruitment. The children of younger ages don't volunteer they are abducted in rebel armies even into official government forces. There are many horrific stories of young children being forced to take part. They are even given a drink or drugs to forget their senses and inspire the courage for fighting.

Child soldiers are mostly in African countries, including Chad, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Uganda.
Up to 14,000 children are believed to be involved in militias in Colombia. Under aged soldiers is also prevalent in parts of Asia such as Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

15 is the minimum age for recruiting soldiers. So it would be legal for a 15 year old to be fighting in an armed group. However, organizations and campaigners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross are seeking to increase the age to 18. Conscripting and recruiting children under the age of 15 is a war crime. Those accused of using under ages in fighting would be tried. Three militia leaders tried at the special court for Sierra Leone were the first to be convicted for recruiting child soldiers in June of 2007. It's unlikely that any under 18s would be tried before the Court it is required to prosecute people who bear the great responsibility. It is required to consider the child's age and their
vulnerability.

Child soldiers shall not be prosecuted many did not volunteer and many are under pressure. Former child soldiers have difficulty adapting to life out of the fighting. Child soldiers have learned survival depends on violence and aggression their families and communities can not cope with their personalities. Children and young people need the help getting over their traumatic experiences but it must be done sensitively and within the context of the community they live in. It is better for the communities to approach and to help the young people by supplying education. VI. Works Cited Page
"Child Soldiers." Child Soldier Resources for Schools Teacher Briefing. Red Cross, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
"Child Soldiers." SpringerReference (n.d.): n. pag. Web.