# data[].attributes.body
yeah @bradewn

# data[].attributes.body
*all caps*

# data[].attributes.body
Children can be injured for stuff they do and they deserve freedom from it.

# data[].attributes.body
And after the three months are up? Where possible, children are returned to their families and communities to begin the long road back to ‘normal’ life. And it is here that many face the biggest challenge. “These children have often lost their families and so have no network of support, no way to make a living, nothing,” says Obonyo Tom Fred, director of the Agoro Community Development Association in Agoro, a war-torn rural community in northern Uganda that has been devastated by 17 years of almost continuous civil and tribal conflicts. “It is so hard for them,” says Obonyo. “I have heard some say they were better off in the war zone.” To point them in the right direction, in 2003 the Agoro Community Development Association started working with RESPECT International, a Canadian NGO that links refugee communities with online volunteers from the United Nations Volunteers programme. One of the fruits of this association is a computer resource centre that today gives IT training to students with a view to creating work opportunities later on.

Encouraging life skills and economic autonomy is also a key aspect of UNICEF’s rehabilitation and re-integration efforts. “We provide support to get these children back to school or into vocational training or work,” says Ironside. These activities take place in local communities and include other vulnerable children, not just former child soldiers, to promote a sense of community and reduce stigmatization. Children who successfully complete a vocational training receive a start-up kit, for example in dress-making, carpentry or hairdressing, to help them along the long road to recovery, reintegration and independence. A kit to put a shattered life back together? “The kit is but one component of support and follow-up provided to these children. I have witnessed transformations,” says Ironside. ■

# data[].attributes.body
Children can get imprisonment for stuff that they did not want to do, stuff that was forced upon them

# data[].attributes.body
e

# data[].attributes.body
Such injuries, along with the plethora of blunt instrument trauma, stabbing and gunshot injuries that result from violent combat, are the tragic staples of war-zone pathology, but they are not the only dangers child soldiers face, in the more than 15 countries where children are used in conflicts, from Afghanistan to DRC, Sri Lanka and the Sudan. “When one thinks of health needs in a conflict situation – and this applies to children and adults – there is a tendency to think of war injuries,” says Nandy. “But it’s important to recognize the threat posed by psychosocial trauma and common diseases in crisis situations – diseases like malaria, cholera and yellow fever, exposure to which results from the breakdown of social systems and increased vulnerability that occur in conflicts, especially when they are prolonged. A child that gets sick in a war zone does not get the treatment he or she might otherwise receive.”

When children enter a UNICEF transitory care centre, they soon receive a general medical check-up followed by treatment where indicated. In DRC, the centres are designed for a three-month stay, and are often the children’s first contact with normality after their horrific experiences. “Generally speaking [the children] are not arriving wounded,” says Ironside. “They may have the scars of bullet and knife wounds, but these have usually healed.” Hair-raising cases of fistula or mutilation aside, the principal damage done is psychological.

Because of the numbers of children needing help – in the Goma transitory care centre in eastern DRC there are currently around 250 – it is not possible to work exclusively one-on-one, so the children have been grouped into ‘families’ of 30 or so, each group with a separate dormitory and assigned staff counsellors. The children, who come from different ethnic backgrounds and armed groups, are deliberately mixed. “The families are there to listen and to support one another, they deal with a range of issues from grief to outbursts of violence,” Ironside says. While reintegration into the community and establishing their own autonomy are important parts of the children’s rehabilitation, individual counselling is also provided, particularly to those with specific disorders or behavioural issues.

There is no data on just how effective this approach is, although both Nandy and Ironside say they have seen dramatic results. But the truth is UNICEF and its nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners are doing the best they can with inadequate resources. “Effective rehabilitation is extremely expensive and takes a long time,” points out Dr Alexander Butchart, in the Department of Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability at the World Health Organization (WHO). Three months of group rehab is the best these children can hope for.

# data[].attributes.body
The enviroment of America is not the same as a African war zone they are obviously not going to commit these crimes you guys are speaking of.

# data[].attributes.body
@Portia ms.Harris even just said that there has been history of them committing more crimes in America cause of their PTSD. Would they be treated the same as someone who wasn't thrown into that same situation?

# data[].attributes.body
@Sharris ANYONE CAN HAVE A SECOND CHANCE IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TOO

# data[].attributes.body
Good point, Kierra, you never know about people in general.

# data[].attributes.body
@Sean

# data[].attributes.body
If child soldiers are given amnesty, they might partake in worse crimes

# data[].attributes.body
oh fr

# data[].attributes.body
I mean like rape another woman of sum

# data[].attributes.body
If they were allowed in to the U.S they will obviously not be allowed to carry RPG's around and perfrom the same stunts they could in war

# data[].attributes.body
Most of the girls returning from these conflict zones have experienced extensive sexual violence,” says Pernille Ironside, a child protection specialist working with UNICEF, who recently returned from a four-year posting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where sporadic fighting has been going on since 1998. “We are talking about systematic rape often accompanied by mutilation over extended periods, sometimes years. Over 200 000 women and children have been raped since the onset of the conflict.” According to the United Nations, between June 2007 and June 2008, in Ituri province in eastern DRC, 6766 cases of rape were reported – a number which probably represents only a fraction of the assaults taking place. Of these reported cases, 43% involved children; girls for the most part but also boys. The psychological trauma resulting from these experiences is accompanied by an elevated risk of sexually transmitted infections, notably HIV/AIDS. Traumatic fistula, the rupturing of tissues caused by violent sexual assault, is also widely reported. Obstetric fistula is also a problem. “We see many girls who are too young to give birth requiring surgical procedures,” says Dr Robin Nandy, senior health adviser for emergencies at UNICEF’s Health Section in New York.

# data[].attributes.body
@Kierra

# data[].attributes.body
Kierra said "hehe that a little specific"

# data[].attributes.body
"tot"

# data[].attributes.body
I'm sure they would get helped before being put out into the real world, and yes its possible they could be put into a abusive house hold but like ...nvm im signing out

# data[].attributes.body
There's "what if" about anything that we do. That can't hold us back @reggie

# data[].attributes.body
Keep it 1 hunnet.

# data[].attributes.body
And would you feel comfortable going to school with a former child soldier?  Working with them?  Living next to them?  If something triggers them, who knows what they might do?  I've read stories of former soldiers who commit crimes and it is often connected to PTSD.

# data[].attributes.body
I honestly wouldn't care @sherry

# data[].attributes.body
@Mrs.Harris well then... we will have to get over it and except them for what they are and what they've been through

# data[].attributes.body
They need waves, thas it, PERIOD.

# data[].attributes.body
What if they make another crime in America

# data[].attributes.body
to stop this???

# data[].attributes.body
if they commit a crime in AMERICA it would be a crime so they would go to jail but if its in another country while they were a child soldier they should have a second chance at life

# data[].attributes.body
we will never know if we don't give them a chance on living a better life in america

# data[].attributes.body
should be punished period

# data[].attributes.body
the adults that are drugging them and teaching them these criminal ways

# data[].attributes.body
Auto correct ain't working for y'all.

# data[].attributes.body
@Portia whos to say that they would not be in a dangerous environment? What if they were adopted by an abusive parent? History repeats itself more often than not. Being forced into a new country where they know nothing gives them a higher chance of being manipulated and used just like back in the army. @Portia

# data[].attributes.body
Why Couldn't they Rebel and start a group

# data[].attributes.body
Just because they are in the mindset of murder in the moment of being drugged doesn't mean they are always going to have the mindset of war.

# data[].attributes.body
The process of sorting out the forced and unforced child soldiers would take much longer the relocating them to somewhere such as Canada. @Portia

# data[].attributes.body
@Logan

# data[].attributes.body
the child soldiers go tot jail?

# data[].attributes.body
i concur

# data[].attributes.body
Has anyone found any statistics about child soldiers after they have been 'rehabilitated'?  I wonder if they continue to commit crimes after the rehabilitation process?  Think about people in the U.S. who are released from prison and continue to commit crimes after doing just one incident?

# data[].attributes.body
Actually @Logan

# data[].attributes.body
They are recruited to act as fighters, porters, cooks, messengers, spies and sex slaves. They are often forced to bear arms and participate in killing. But the physical and psychological harm done to so-called ‘child soldiers’ is not limited to the combat zone. The collapse of civil society resulting from protracted conflicts and the unchecked abuses of marauding militias expose children to a range of health risks from cholera to malnutrition; from deliberate mutilation to perhaps a lesser known consequence of their deployment in conflict – sexual abuse.

# data[].attributes.body
thank you Araya, very cool

# data[].attributes.body
ON GOD @Kierra

# data[].attributes.body
because he didn't (rape, kill Etc.) innocent women

# data[].attributes.body
mabye they aloud it to happen and it is not right to fore a kid that will soon repopulate your country to soon meet at gunpoint in a war

# data[].attributes.body
a lot of people being killed  and then they  are destroying their homes and then they are just killing  people and  they are just after the kids

# data[].attributes.body
smh no

# data[].attributes.body
UNICEF/LeMoyne

An injured girl moves with the aid of a walker at a hospital in northern Uganda. She had been abducted by the Lords Resistance Army and was shot through the leg while being rescued by government soldiers. Other injured children sit in the courtyard outside.

# data[].attributes.body
@Matthew  So a whole country should be punished?

# data[].attributes.body
THE COUNTRY THAT MADE THEM DO IT

# data[].attributes.body
The war division leaders.

# data[].attributes.body
A United Nations treaty prohibiting the use of children in hostilities has been ratified by 126 countries, but at least 250 000 child soldiers are currently involved in armed conflicts worldwide. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners struggle to repair the damage. Gary Humphreys reports.

# data[].attributes.body
@matthew  no the commanders should or who ever is in charge.

# data[].attributes.body
@ Zoey They're gonna be under different pursuations so no I don't think they're gonna randomly harm someone because they won't be in a dangerous enviornment and if they commited crimes before i doubt the judges would cut them some slack

# data[].attributes.body
@Zoey

# data[].attributes.body
But also over 200 000 women and children have been raped since the onset of the conflict

# data[].attributes.body
Gerorge 17, "I didn't want to do any of these things, but if i didn't I was afraid they would kill me" George is clearly afraid and doesn't want to die

# data[].attributes.body
@portia it was in no way their decision to commit war crimes as such.

# data[].attributes.body
Some children are kidnapped when they are babys and raised into war

# data[].attributes.body
@Portia but they are being drugged and forced so how is that there falut.

# data[].attributes.body
There is also possibility that the children also could've had a complete choice, but were promised a better life, good food, etc. and were tricked into it. They might not have, but if they choose to go regardless, that could be a little different. If they indeed had an actual choice, they were most likely told what they can and cannot do, and in that scenario they SHOULD be punished for it. It does depend on the situation of course, but if they comitted war crimes on purpose, they should have some kind of punishment. I don't think they should be forced away from America, but they do deserve something that I'm not sure of.

# data[].attributes.body
Khadr was also seriously wounded in the firefight, half-blinded in one eye and with two bullet wounds to his chest. In bringing the murder in violation of the laws of war charge before a military commission, the U.S. government is saying that the killing of a combatant openly on the battlefield is a war crime when committed by an irregular combatant.

# data[].attributes.body
how you make a crime

# data[].attributes.body
They will never see the video of his interrogation by Canadian intelligence agents where he is lying on the floor crying for his mother. Nor will the prosecution present evidence of international law that required Khadr to be treated differently upon capture from other detainees because of his age.

# data[].attributes.body
@Portia I agree that they should not be thrown in jail for their forced crimes, however who is to say they will not commit more crimes once into America? Wouldn't their situation influence the judges to take it easier on the children if they were to commit an unforced crime whilst in America?

# data[].attributes.body
MOSTLY ANYONE CAN CHANGE IF THEY REALLY WANT TO SO CHILD SOLDIERS CAN TOO.

# data[].attributes.body
Most of the girls returning from these conflict zones have experienced extensive sexual violence

# data[].attributes.body
I found that evidence to @Taccorri

# data[].attributes.body
China

# data[].attributes.body
Some children are getting paralyzed for what they are being forced to do.

# data[].attributes.body
just no regginald

# data[].attributes.body
Taccorri i agree with you

# data[].attributes.body
It is hard to imagine the jury will issue a shorter sentence after seeing the direction the prosecution's case is taking. Dr. Welner appears to be their star witness, although he might be eclipsed by the widow of Sgt. Speer. Ms. Speer wept openly in court while the prosecution read a statement about how the grenade thrown during the firefight caused Speer mortal brain damage.

# data[].attributes.body
I understand where your coming from, @Sherry Johnson

# data[].attributes.body
Who is going to receive punishment then for all of those who are raped and murdered?  Are do those people no longer count?

# data[].attributes.body
Well that was after what they did if they didn't have equal rights then they shouldn't have to be equally responsible for that action.

# data[].attributes.body
facts portia

# data[].attributes.body
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN

# data[].attributes.body
@Portia I saw somebody saying they should have equal rights by coming into America which is where the equal rights=equal responsibility came from.

# data[].attributes.body
josiah they are both

# data[].attributes.body
soliders avuion

# data[].attributes.body
Khadr, only 15 at the time of his apprehension but 24 now, has pleaded guilty in a military commission to five charges, including murder in violation of the laws of war for the killing of US Army Sgt. First Class Christopher Speer. Speer was fatally wounded on July 27, 2002, after U.S. forces entered a compound in Afghanistan where Khadr and others were located. After a firefight ensued, prosecutors alleged Khadr threw a grenade that killed Speer and wounded others.

# data[].attributes.body
@Reggie They are forced to do all of those things but they still shouldnt be allowed here.

# data[].attributes.body
@Josiah I agree with you

# data[].attributes.body
*too

# data[].attributes.body
You have good point Auvion

# data[].attributes.body
*Portia

# data[].attributes.body
duhhh @taylor

# data[].attributes.body
Equal rights= Equal responsibilty? they don't have equal rights so how does that make sense?

# data[].attributes.body
@Carolyn I'm not saying they will get a better life as a child soldier, it is just one way that the leaders of militias and rebel groups persuade/force these children to join them

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks Taylor, very cool

# data[].attributes.body
With further research the soldiers get drugged so they can follow orders and that would mean their under the influence of drugs and in america that's illegal but there coming back after that law would take in affect (most of the time anyway) and so there being mind controlled (basically)  and the could probily  totaly have a choise in all of this.

# data[].attributes.body
I did portia

# data[].attributes.body
*Auvion