Where In The World
Children all over the world are affected by this inhumane violation of human rights. Often times this happens in poverty stricken countries with unstable governments. Some of the countries that have been reported to have child soldiers since 2011 are:
Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, India, Israel, Central African Republic, Somalia, Thailand, Iraq, Philippines and many, many more. Usually people assume this only happens in African countries but in fact, this problem is much greater than that.
Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, India, Israel, Central African Republic, Somalia, Thailand, Iraq, Philippines and many, many more. Usually people assume this only happens in African countries but in fact, this problem is much greater than that.
Somalia
According to the United Nations the Somali government is the most persistent violators of child soldier laws. They take children off soccer fields and turn them into soldiers, some as young as 9. Somalia is one of only two countries that refuses to follow the law that prohibits the use of child soldiers under the age of 15. After the collapse of the government in 1991, an entire generation of children lived on the streets and turned to a life of violence. The government was so desperate to find anyone who can hold a gun, even if it is starving children. Approximately 20% or 5,000-10,000 of the government forces are children and 80% of rebel groups are children. Children are addicted to tobacco, cigarettes, and alcohol, and their favourite toy is a gun.
AFGHANISTAN
Contrary to popular belief, child soldiers are not only fighting in Africa. In Afghanistan at least 200 young boys are working for the Afghan National Police. The Taliban and other non-government groups use child soldiers. There are reported cases of boys only 6 years old being used as suicide bombers. From 2003-2006 7,500 children went through Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration. Today the number of children in this program are only increasing. This is definitely a step in the right direction but there are still so many more children literally fighting for their lives.
Colombia
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14,000 children are currently serving in Colombia's armed forces. Every year thousands more are forced to place land mines, transport explosives, even kidnap other children. These enemy groups believe if they take children at birth and they grow up as child soldiers they will be less likely to leave. Many organizations are working to free these children. There are programs set up to help the children reintegrate into society and with their families, but still thousands of others are watching their friends die beside them.
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