From my standpoint I don't know all the facts or the true nature of this child soldiers involvement in the war. Neither do I know if they were forced or demanded to volunteer to fight in the war. However, what I do know was that they killed people, and that on it's own warrants a sentence to jail. This entire debate seems rigged to me. One side benefits the logical thought process and one side benefits the moral thought process. One thing that is apparent is that after a war it is unlikely that the losing force will be welcomed by their opposition. Even being extradited to live in another country could be a risk for the country extraditing them. However, when I think about it this way, what is the right thing to do? I immediately conform to my moral beliefs. Regardless of their crimes they should be shown mercy. It may be that it isn't the most beneficial option or even the most popular, but it is the right one. After reading the text concerning the implementation of child soldiers employed by the government I feel largely enlightened. The text is brutally honest. It paints a bloodier picture of the lives of child soldiers. The text reaffirmed my view on the treatment of child soldiers. They're not participants of their own volition and can certainly not be viewed as perpetrators. Child soldiers are victims of endless wars, most of which grow up without schooling, parents, or proper nutrition, then to be forced to kill or be killed.
Victims:
- Forced into war
- Drugged against their will
- Subject to horrible deaths
- Families brutally murdered
- Forced to kill
- Forced to witness death
- Malnourished
- Terrible sleeping conditions
Perpetrators:
- Do whatever their superior officer commands of them, of those commands being: To steal, murder, spy, etc.
- Voluntarily commit crimes (few cases)
- Some children claim they enjoyed it or don't feel remorse
- Future crimes
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