Child soldier facts for kids
A child soldier is a child who takes part in fighting during a war. There isn't one official rule for what a child soldier is. However, many groups agree that anyone under 18 years old should not be forced to fight. This age limit comes from an important agreement called the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Groups like UNICEF, terre des hommes, and Amnesty International believe that any person under 18 who fights or helps in a war is a child soldier. It's a tricky situation because if these children are seen as regular fighters, it might seem okay for them to be in wars. But if they are captured, they should be treated as prisoners of war under rules like the Geneva Conventions.
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What is a Child Soldier?
A child soldier is a young person, usually under 18, who is involved in armed conflict. This means they might fight directly, but they could also be used in other ways. They might carry messages, act as spies, or even be forced to help with supplies. It's important to remember that these children are often victims themselves. They are usually forced into these roles and do not choose to be soldiers.
Why is it a Problem?
Using children in war is a serious issue because it harms them in many ways. Children are not fully developed and are not ready for the dangers and violence of war. They can be badly hurt, both physically and mentally. Being a child soldier can stop them from going to school, growing up safely, and having a normal childhood. It also goes against their basic rights as children.
International Laws Against Child Soldiers
Many countries and international organizations are working to stop the use of child soldiers. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is a big agreement that says recruiting anyone under 15 years old to fight in a war is a war crime. This means it's a very serious offense that can be punished by international law.
What is a War Crime?
A war crime is an action during a war that breaks international rules. These rules are put in place to protect people and make sure wars are fought fairly. Using children in combat is considered a war crime because it is a cruel and illegal act against innocent young people. People who commit war crimes can be put on trial in special courts.
How Many Child Soldiers Are There?
It is hard to know the exact number of child soldiers around the world. However, in 1996, the United Nations estimated that about 300,000 children were actively involved in armed conflicts. While this number can change, it shows that many children are still affected by this problem today. Many groups continue to work hard to protect children from being used in wars and to help those who have been child soldiers.
Images for kids
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Children of the Omo Valley in Ethiopia
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A group of demobilized child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Rebel Salvadoran soldier boy combatant in Perquin, El Salvador, 1990, during the Salvadoran Civil War
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An Iranian child soldier after the Liberation of Khorramshahr
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Symbolic Syrian boy soldiers, fans of the Syrian Army
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Young Khmer Rouge fighters
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The brave Righetto (1851). Replica of the Giovanni Strazza statue in the lobby of the grand staircase in Palazzo Litta. It portrays a 12-year-old child who died with his dog in 1849 while trying to stop a bomb during the defence of the Roman Republic in 1849.
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Children from age 16 in the British Army, on parade at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate, UK
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Red Hand Day, the International Day Against Use of Child Soldiers, is often marked by displaying red handprints.
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A United States Army sergeant drills high school students at Jackson High School in Georgia, US
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See also
In Spanish: Niños soldado para niños
