Child soldiers

THE latest report by Amnesty International which claims that child recruitment by the LTTE is on the increase is merely restating a truism. International Agencies such as AI who are no strangers to the Sri Lankan conflict are only too aware of the child soldier phenomenon.

The many gruesome tales and television footage during the height of the war of dead bodies of children used as cannon fodder are but only a glimpse of the grim reality behind the iron curtain.

There is no clear record as to how many children were taken away from their parents in the budding of their youth after being forced to the frontlines. Not that the LTTE cares tuppence for reports of AI or other human rights agencies.

AI voicing concerns over this, stepped up recruitment of child soldiers is not going to change LTTE thinking. What is required is strong action to penalise the LTTE for its barbarism.

The AI report also adds that the LTTE had failed to honour the Action Plan for Children Affected by War signed by it, the Government and UN agencies and NGOs in 2002.

This statement can only be funny if not for the grim reality. Can the AI recount a single instance where the LTTE did honour any treaty or agreement? We can but recall the pledge exacted by Indian leader Rajiv Gandhi from the LTTE leader to accept Provincial Councils.

The LTTE not only went back on this pledge but engaged the Indian Army and finally blew up Gandhi.

Then there was the instance when it entered into an agreement with the UN Special Rapporteur on Child Soldiers Olara Otunnu to desist from recruiting child soldiers only to renege on it once his back was turned on them.

These only go to demonstrate the fragile nature of agreements signed with the LTTE.

The AI report states that children are pounced upon at temple festivals and junctions. It also adds that families don't complain to agencies due to fear of reprisals.

When confronted the LTTE is claimed to have told AI that children in their eagerness to join the outfit hide their age and that once this is noticed they are released.

These however, are contradicted by parents and UNICEF reports. It is time that agencies such as the AI re-examine their role in the conflict.

They should make use of their international clout to get the LTTE to stop recruiting child soldiers with the same enthusiasm they show when an infringement is committed by the Government.

The same goes for the NGOS who go about beating their breasts on some security excesses but do not make even a whimper at the glaring instances of child recruitment.

It is futile compiling reams of reports by these international agencies if no concrete action is taken to force the LTTE to desist from this inhuman practice.

The recruitment of child soldiers by the LTTE is an open secret and we don't need agencies like the AI to point this out. What it could do is to lobby Western Governments who harbour LTTE leaders to turn on the heat and exact an undertaking to put an end to this barbarism.

Perhaps an AI delegation should be present at the Geneva talks and thrash out this matter with the LTTE. The problem is too grave for the parties to be vacillating.