Table of Contents
Why Should child soldiers be prosecuted for their crimes?
It is important that child soldiers are included in post-war justice, so that the whole community can see that the perpetrators of human rights violations are punished. The finality of a trial also helps to draw a line under the conflict and allows a society to move on.
What is the punishment for child soldiers?
Whoever violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, subsection (a) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both and, if death of any person results, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for any term of years or for life.
Can child soldiers be tried as war criminals?
There’s no doubt that some children have committed terrible crimes during armed conflict. If so, they can be prosecuted under international law, taking their age into account and adhering to international standards.
Are child soldiers against the law?
While much has been done to protect children from being used in the fighting, more efforts are needed. It is a war crime under international law to enlist, conscript, or use children under 15 actively in hostilities, whether it is in a conflict between states, or between armed groups and/or state forces.
Do child soldiers deserve amnesty?
Although some people say that child soldiers should not be granted amnesty, evidence shows that these children do deserve amnesty, except in cases when the former soldiers show violent behavior after war because children are forced to commit acts of violence and are force addicted to illegal substances so they won’t …
Why do child soldiers need rehabilitation?
Medical treatment is instrumental in getting former child soldiers rehabilitated and reintegrated. The WHO states that along with war-related injuries: land mines, stabbing and gun shot wounds, children will also have common viruses and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, yellow fever, etc.
Why do child soldiers deserve amnesty?
The most important reason why child soldiers should be granted amnesty is because it is not their will to commit these crimes, it is simply being forced into act they would never commit unless their life was on the line.
Why are child soldiers being detained?
To ensure force protection and self-defense, and to collect intelligence, the militaries of Canada and the United States detain child soldiers during armed conflicts.
Why do child soldiers fight?
In many cases, children choose to join as a result of economic or social pressures. Others join armed forces to fight for a cause that they or their family support, often with little clear understanding of the implications of their decision.
What is wrong with child soldiers?
Regardless of how children are recruited and of their roles, child soldiers are victims, whose participation in conflict bears serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being. They are commonly subject to abuse and most of them witness death, killing, and sexual violence.