Debate on Child Soldiers

Child Soldiers are used throughout the world in both conflicts between states and civil war. International law prohibits the use and recruitment under the age of 15 years old. It also says that if your between the age 15 and 18 you should not be in these hostilities.  It's estimated that there are 300,000 child soldiers currently fighting in the wrld. Should these children be held responsible for their actions or should they be considered children in the eyes of international law?

One opinion is that Child Soldiers are no different from Child Criminals. They have been charged with the most brutal assaults in wartime. In sierra leone child soldiers commited acts of rape and killing civilians. Another opinion is that Child Soldiers are not morally responsible for their actions, they are usually forced to do what there supposed to do. The recruiters of child soldiers also use drugs and alcohol to make children more compliant and it would make them commit acts that would not do if they weren't under the influence.

Most children are forcibly recruited and when they enlist they may not have thought carefully about their decision. The child thought it may have been the safe route then dying of hunger or getting shot. However many children occupy command posistions and ordering grown ups what to do.

One argument is that children should not be punished but should be rehibiitated. on the other hand, if child soldiers are not punished for war crimes and crimes against hmanity, a message is sent to the community that these perpretrators will not be held responsible for their acts.

If the world does not hold child soldiers responsible for their actions, would this encourage these countries to use children to commit war crimes? Perhaps the world should hold these countries responsible for breaking inernational law by using child soldiers in the first place.



Grogan, Rose. "Child Soldiers, Prosecution: Debatabase - Debate Topics and Debate Motions." IDEA: International Debate Education Association - Debate Resources & Debate Tools. 05 Sept. 2009. Web. 07 Nov. 2010. <http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=924>.