Fighting terrorism with child soldiers

Steps must be taken to prevent the informal militias from enrolling kids. These children need pens, and not guns.  

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: The News Pakistan | Editorial

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Child soldiers
According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, children are being recruited to join the 'lashkars' supported by the government to take on Taliban remnants in the tribal areas. This is unacceptable not only on the grounds of humanity but also international law which prevents the use of children as soldiers.

Herded into madressahs, kidnapped and taken to seminaries where they were trained as suicide bombers and used as pawns in a conflict that has raged on for months, these children of the north have suffered enough. They deserve a break. Indeed, the primary responsibility of the government must be to give them back the childhood they have been robbed of.


How can this be done? In the first place it is important to make a greater effort to reopen schools. In Bajaur, for example, many schools remain shut despite official orders, mainly because buildings have been damaged or teachers remain displaced. In Swat too the damage to buildings and the loss of records have caused problems.

The attempt to give children back some sense of normalcy needs to be expedited. There is also an acute sense of trauma, with the UNHCR setting up 25 centres where psychologists counsel people. Most who turn to them are women and children. Forcing children to engage in further conflict can only worsen their suffering.

Steps must be taken to prevent the informal militias from enrolling kids. These children need pens, and not guns. The issue is one that deserves priority attention, so that the welfare of those who will constitute the future of the conflict zone can be safeguarded.

Read the original post here: Child soldiers