End child recruitment for combat

Daily News Debate Compiled by Rajmi Manatunga]

TODAY we start a new page titled 'Daily News Debate' to provide a platform for your views and opinions on contemporary issues facing Sri Lankan society. Every Wednesday, the page will act as a forum for your opinions on a selected issue of national importance.

Every week, it would feature different opinions side by side on the selected topic, along with a glance at the relevant international perspectives.

The 'debate' on one issue will be continued for four weeks during which different viewpoints to the issue will be presented. You are welcome to contribute to 'Daily News Debate' with articles outlining your views on the selected issue. The subject for this month's 'Daily News Debate' is 'the use of children as soldiers'.

Accordingly, today's first 'Daily News Debate' carries the viewpoints of a leading child rights activist outlining the situation of child soldiers in Sri Lanka, and a child psychologist explaining as to how the use of children in war affects the mental well-being of a child.

You are invited to voice your opinion on the above topic through 'Daily News Debate' with articles containing 750-1,000 words.

The articles should be confined to the selected issue and sent before November 30, 2006. They can be sent by post to 'Daily News Debate', Daily News, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, PO Box 1217, Colombo or via e-mail to [email protected].

Dr. Hiranthi WIJEMANNE

CONSCRIPTION: Child soldiers should not exist. It is the worst form of child abuse and exploitation. Children become combatants not only when they are forcibly conscripted through abduction, but also when they are trained to conduct violent acts against society.

These children are even taught to commit extreme violence against themselves by committing suicide.

Child soldiers are often exposed to horrific scenes and deliberately exposed to and forced to commit atrocities against communities as part of their training.

They are denied the fundamental right to live with their parents and family, grow up in a community, attend a school and learn, have access to basic health care and be able to play, have leisure and recreation. It is the loss of a childhood which can never ever be regained.

Why do child soldiers exist? Many paramilitary organizations round the world consider using children as soldiers much more desirable than recruiting adults. Children are easier to indoctrinate, and be made compliant and obedient.

They cannot escape when they are kept under adult supervision. They need not be paid and do not question orders. They are truly the worst victim of any conflict. Countries which have parties to conflicts which recruit or use children as combatants include Colombia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines and Uganda.

A significant feature of Sri Lanka's conflict for over two decades has been the use of child soldiers by the LTTE. Between 1983 and 2002 it has been estimated that 60% of the 14,000 LTTE fighting force were child soldiers.

A UNICEF data base established in 2001 indicates a total of 5,794 children recruited. Out of this there still remain 1,598 outstanding with the LTTE. Such figures only represent those children of families who have reported information to UNICEF.

About two thirds are boys while the rest are girls. Recruitment levels vary in each conflict affected district.

According to this data base, a majority of children are recruited from the Killinochchi district with over a quarter of the recruitment or re-recruitment occurring within the same district. Batticaloa is the next highest. There is also ongoing recruitment in Jaffna, Ampara, Mullaitivu and Mannar.

However, even UNICEF admits, these figures only represent one third of families who overcame fear and intimidation and reported child recruitment. The majority of families do not do so even to UNICEF.

There is untold suffering and trauma to the families of such children who do not know where their children are and who can only imagine what such children undergo in training camps and during combat.

Child soldiers engage in combat but there are also children who provide services at check points, act as messengers and spies.

In the case of child soldiers, the most important aspect is prevention. Any organisation practising child recruitment should make a serious commitment to end such practices.

But such commitments must also include the release of both those under 18 as well as persons over 18 years who were recruited when they were 18 years. Recently more and more child soldiers are surrendering to government forces.

This makes it important to develop an appropriate institutional framework of care and rehabilitation for such children. Community based approaches are also important including family re-unification. Strong protection to prevent re-recruitment is essential.

It is necessary for such children to have access to schooling and vocational training keeping in mind the possibility of stigmatization which tends to occur when a child is "labelled" a soldier.

Specially trained teachers and staff are important as well as efforts to orientate communities that the child is the victim and not the perpetrator of abuse.

Interventions focused on promoting psychological well-being and recovery are important in reintegrating such children into a stable and nurturing family environment.

Some children who may have been exposed to and participated in particularly severe violence will need specialized care and counselling.

It is best if this is done in stable and supportive care situations with care givers skilled to forge a relationship with the child concerned. Where possible, culture appropriate interventions are needed, building on moral and religious values.

Physical aspects are also important including medical screening and care. This must take into account the possibilities of substance abuse, sexual abuse and under-nutrition.

If a proper system of care is provided, more and more children will be encouraged to leave their situation of enforced recruitment to lead a normal life.

It is important that former child soldiers are encouraged to mix with children of other races and that segregation is avoided. This can also be used for peace building purposes.

The writer is a former Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority.