By Lalith Ganhewa in Berlin for Sri Lanka Guardian (February 13, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) Commemorating the occasion of (12.2) the International Day Against The Use of Child Soldiers, the UNICEF and the German Government called for endeavours to demobilize and re-integrate child soldiers.Despite the global stigma, according to recent estimates by the UNICEF, over 250,000 children and young people are still being used and recruited as soldiers to fight wars. (Image:"The use of children as soldiers in wars and armed conflicts is one of the most horrendous crimes imaginable" - Günter Nook)
UNICEF is currently having negotiations with the militia of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for the dismissal of over 1,500 children used as soldiers. In the last couple of days, the militia in the Congolese province of Nord-Kivu released more than 144 child soldiers, the youngest was just seven years old.
For the first time the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague began the trial of a former militia leader in Eastern Congo, for using child soldiers.
According to UNICEF this case is important as it will send a strong message to perpetrators of similar actions around the world who are using children as soldiers, since they will no longer be able to be sure that their crime will go unpunished.
Last year alone, 19 countries and conflict areas were documented, in which from 2004 to 2007 under aged children were forced to fight as soldiers or worked as collaborators or spies. These included, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Sudan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
According to German Government's Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid Mr. Günter Nooke, the abuse of children as soldiers is a grave violation of human rights.
Commemorating the International Day (12.2) against the Use of Child Soldiers Commissioner Nooke said "The use of children as soldiers in wars and armed conflicts is one of the most horrendous crimes imaginable. Children, usually powerless in such situations, are particularly affected by crises and violent conflicts. Often their lives are destroyed.
Children depend on us for protection. Therefore, we must reinforce our efforts at all levels to prevent the most serious crimes against children. All States are called upon to take determined action against these crimes.
I am especially concerned about the fate of children in many African countries, as well as in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. We consistently receive horrifying reports from these places, a trend that has been seen especially in recent months.
The human rights policy of the German Government and its partners in the European Union is strongly committed to improving the situation of children in armed conflicts. We are determined to continue working for a peaceful future for all children."
Although 120 countries signed an additional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits use of under aged.
Nevertheless, particularly many non-state actors have not adhered to these principles. These include, for example, the rebel organization FARC in Colombia, the LTTE in Sri Lanka and various militia groups in Sudan and in the area around the great lakes in Africa, especially in the Eastern Congo.
In Sri Lanka, the LTTE have been recruiting underage children to their forces continuously. International Rights Groups and the UN have criticized the Terrorist Group requesting them repeatedly to refrain from such recruitments. The LTTE on their side have given numerous promises to the International Organisations but have gone back on their promise each time.
UNICEF pointed out that child soldiers in particular are victims, often to horrific atrocities forced on them. Children in crisis areas, search for protection and assistance. This give the armed groups a chance to exploit them.
In Africa alone, the German Government is providing well over 100 million euros to support a wide range of projects aimed at reintegrating former child soldiers into society.
UNICEF supports programs for the reintegration of children in many countries
This is often difficult because they are often traumatized and made to feel like outsiders.
-Lalith Ganhewa is our Correspondent in Berlin. He can be reached at slgfrg@srilankaguardian.org
-Sri Lanka Guardian
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