Conscription and Use of Child Soldiers in Armed Conflicts

Abstract

The child soldier issue in Africa is historically unprecedented both in terms of its scope and almost inconceivable levels of abuse of children. The trend is becoming increasingly apparent with non-state armed groups, most of which operate well outside of, and in flagrant disregard for, any notion of human rights or international humanitarian law. Recent evidence shows that children who start their military engagement in a support role usually graduate to becoming active combatants. Whether children participate directly or indirectly, they are placed in danger.