We Can Right This Wrong
To Whomever it May Concern at UNICEF:
Hello. My name is Hisham Bukhari, and I am a student at The American International School of Muscat, TAISM. I’m a normal student with a normal life, and that is how every child should be. Not being trained on how to use a gun, or how to stab with a knife. Yet there are countless child soldiers in the world, fighting for their lives right now, dragged into a mad conflict. You, UNICEF, have the power to help these poor children. Since you have saved thousands of children’s lives before, I have hope that you will try to help these poor children. They shouldn’t be prosecuted for the things they have done. They should be treated with care and put in a center for rehabilitation. Please listen to what I have to say.
If anyone should be blamed for the actions of child soldiers, it should be their commanders. The reason why child soldiers join the military is largely because of them. Some may argue that child soldiers join the army of their own volition. That is true, but the reason they stay in the army is because of their commanders. Since children are very susceptible to influence, commanders use this to their advantage and try to make a child love war and killing. They are brainwashed into thinking that shooting innocent people is fun. This is what The Children and Justice During and in the Aftermath of Armed Conflict report says, “Children are often desired as recruits because they can be easily intimidated and indoctrinated. They lack the mental maturity and judgment to express consent or to fully understand the implications of their actions.” Not only is it psychological, but it is also physical. Commanders repeatedly drug children and force them to stay. Any person that goes through these terrifying times should not be prosecuted.
Like I said before, children are very susceptible to influence, but that doesn't mean just bad influence. It can mean that they can also be rehabilitated. Look at the case of Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier. He was brainwashed so much, that he was actually angry that human rights activists saved him from being a child soldier. Many child soldiers like him attacked the staff of the rehabilitation center he was in (Ex-child-soldier: Shooting…). After rehabilitation, he is now a successful author that has published many books, one being his experience of being a child soldier. Ishmael Beah is living proof that child soldiers can be rehabilitated, and organisations like you can make this possible.
Some may think that part of the reason why I am defending child soldiers is because they are children. That is not true. There are many child murderers out there who deserve to be prosecuted. Let's take the example of Lionel Tate. Lionel, at the age of 12, killed a 6 year old child (Lionel Tate). This murder was done for no reason, in contrast to child soldiers who were actually forced into killing. Child soldiers are not the same as child murderers, and should not be treated the same way.
I realize that there are people who disagree with me. They might think child soldiers have killed too many people to not be prosecuted. And I know that there is a chance that rehabilitation won’t work. In that case, that child is far too influenced to change for the better, and the only choice is to prosecute them. These are very good points, but every living thing deserves a chance. We should treat every opportunity like Ishmael Beah. A child soldier at first might seem like they are too far gone to help, but with enough treatment, they can be cured.
Please consider helping child soldiers. It will help them a lot when they are grown up. With enough effort, we can reduce the number of child soldiers being used everyday. I understand that everything is not simple and you have to worry about numerous things, like your budget. But please, these children need help and care, not war.
Sincerely,
Hisham Bukhari, TAISM Student
Works Cited
Barnett, Errol. `Ex-child-soldier: 'Shooting became just like drinking a glass of water'.` CNN.CNN.com 09 10 2012. Web. 13 March 2017.
N/a. `Lionel Tate.` Wikipedia.Wikipedia 01 12 2016. Web. 13 March 2017.
N/a. `Should child soldiers be prosecuted for their crimes?.` IRIN.IRIN 06 10 2011. Web. 13 March 2017.
