The use of child soldiers in war with special reference to Sri Lanka

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• International Law
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Child conscription is a historical and ongoing global issue with profound sociological, political, and economic dimensions.
• International bodies recognize child conscription as detrimental to development, a violation of child rights, and a war crime.
• Previous attempts to address child conscription as abuse have been hindered by group perpetrators and legal access limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted nature of child conscription, examining its sociological underpinnings and historical context.
• To analyze the specific factors contributing to child conscription in conflicts, such as those in Sri Lanka.
• To highlight the need for a redefined understanding of child conscription as child abuse, including concepts like 'suicide by proxy'.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical documentation and sociological studies on child conscription.
• Analysis of international legal instruments and declarations concerning child rights and war crimes.
• Case study approach examining conflict backgrounds, ethno-religious factors, and political influences.

Main Results:

• Child conscription is driven by a complex interplay of terrorism, politics, economics, culture, and religion.
• The study details the manipulation of idealistic youth, the role of diaspora communities, and fundraising mechanisms in perpetuating conscription.
• Abusive aspects, including emotional abuse, neglect, and physical harm, are prevalent, necessitating a new definition of 'suicide by proxy'.

Conclusions:

• Child conscription is a severe form of child abuse, deeply embedded in socio-political conflicts and requiring novel legal and ethical frameworks.
• The global arms industry, particularly small arms, plays a significant role in sustaining conflicts that fuel child conscription.
• Addressing child conscription requires confronting the conflicts of interest within international bodies and understanding the cultural and historical manipulation of young minds.