Børnesoldater: årsager, konsekvenser og hjælpeindsatser

We have used children as soldiers in many centuries, but even though we have evolved a lot, some countries still use child soldiers. Children are forced into joining the army. It could be that the child lacks resources, so the army might be the child’s only chance of survival. Some children are kidnapped. Most of these children are orphans, kidnapped from foster homes. We at Amnesty international feel that it is horribly sad that children have to live this sort of life, and we are doing all we can to prevent the use of child soldiers.

I have travelled in countries like Uganda to help the children who have suffered as child soldiers. Many of these children suffer problems like post-traumatic stress. Post-traumatic stress is a horrible condition no matter how old you are, but to think that there are children in this world who suffer from post-traumatic stress from such an early age is unbearable. The children suffer from other conditions than just mental, many of the children have bullet wounds and some are even missing limbs. Most of them do not have an education, so if they get out of one of the rebel armies they might not get a job. The children will almost certainly not be able to live a normal life after being a soldier, so many of them choose to re-join the army. Amnesty International have tried for many years now to prevent the use of child soldiers, but it is difficult and it would require a lot of help. The children who have been child soldiers are often left hopeless; we need to give them hope. We asked politician Frank McGuire what he would want the world to do about child soldiers. He said “Well, first of all we need to create awareness to the issue. We need volunteers to help the children in to a better future. We need to give them an education, we need to give them jobs and we need to give them medical and psychological treatment. We need to give them hope.” Ever since we brought the problem to the Whitehouse, there have been improvements. Two months ago a group of soldiers was shipped to Uganda, to help fight the resistance army, and to free child soldiers from one the resistance armies. It is not just boys who are forced into the rebel armies, girls are also being forced into being soldiers. Girls are used in combat, but they also suffer sexual violence. What is being done to these children is unbelievably horrible. There have already been build a lot more awareness of the issue. If this ever succeeds Amnesty International will need to set up a program securing the children’s future, and we will need as many volunteers as possible. So if you want to help then sign up as a volunteer on our website.