Although highlighted continuously by both local and international media, child conscription by the LTTE continues regardless. The only conclusion is that strategies adopted so far to prevent recruitment have failed. Although some describe child conscription as “voluntary recruitment", it is invariably forcible, due to coercion and/or inducement. It is impossible for children and families to say otherwise due to fear. Poverty is cited as a root cause and almost a justification. However, in other forms of child rights violation such as child labour, sexual abuse and exploitation, the word " voluntary" is never used, and poverty is not accepted as a justification. Perpetrators of such abuse whether it be parents who give children for domestic labour, or close family members who commit such abuse or involve children in commercial sex networks, are never excused. The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and other organizations monitor such violations, and once discovered, every effort is made to ensure that the law takes its proper course. In fact, society regards such perpetrators of child rights violations without any mercy or sympathy. However, in the case of child recruitment, the tolerance level seems to be very high, mainly because of fear of the perpetrators.
The National NCPA has been consistent in its advocacy against child recruitment as a zero tolerance and non-negotiable issue. The NCPA is committed to protect Sri Lankan children of all communities whether they be Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala. This includes child combatants who are not only at risk of injury, disability and death, but are also vulnerable to long term and serious psychological problems, deprivation of education and worst of all, denied the right to a life with their parents, siblings, extended family and friends. Current information available with UNICEF indicates that as of 31 July 2005, a total of 5081 under-age recruitment cases were known to UNICEF since the Cease Fire Agreement. Out of this 2975 were boys and 2106 girls. The highest are from Batticaloa (2356), Jaffna (749), Trincomalee (471) and Ampara (412), Killinochchi (232), Mullaitivu (212) and Mannar (184). Out of the children who have been returned/ or released home, it is estimated that 33% had been previously reported to UNICEF. The total released so far is considered to be 1480, ran away 821, returned 1825 and deceased 16. Total outstanding cases are 1209. These are the known and documented figures. Similar to other protection issues related to children, the actual numbers could be considerably more.
The demobilization of already recruited child soldiers and the prevention of new recruits have faced many constraints. This is due to an overwhelming need to strengthen political commitment regarding the issue and obtain stronger advocacy and support from the international community. Donors who have power to negotiate due to the funding they provide to the North and East can and should be stronger advocates against recruitment. Other barriers to stop recruitment include the absence of sanctions against those who recruit, weak demobilization structures, and the social disintegration of families and communities. While exposing child recruitment is important and has already been done, it is now imperative that this is accompanied by interventions aimed at actually stopping recruitment. The continued use of children as weapons of war is a continuing affront to humanity. Since war and conflict are the most important barriers, resumption of peace talks is essential.
The NCPA welcomes the recent Security Council Resolution to set up a monitoring and reporting mechanism. Efforts made by international organization such as UNICEF to establish such a data base must be commended. However we hope that interventions to prevent recruitment should hold those persons responsible for recruitment accountable. Such policies to stop recruitment must be incorporated into all peace processes, peace agreements, and post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes and be implemented. Improving education, access to vocational training and employment opportunities for the youth, should run parallel to these measures. The international community and donors can play a proactive role in this as they have relationships with the LTTE based on financial support to areas affected by the conflict. This should also include the termination of trafficking and the abduction of children related to recruitment.
The parents and families of child recruits want much more than a monitoring system which registers the name of their child in a database. They desperately want their children back in their families. They also want preventative action which controls those who recruit so that they are able to send their children to school without fear. They want their children to be free to live as children and not be deprived of what is most precious and irretrievable - a childhood.
The NCPA welcomes the Security Council resolution which encourages support to develop and strengthen capacities of national institutions and local civil society networks for the advocacy and rehabilitation of children affected by conflict. Such institutions and networks should be well chosen on the basis of credibility, impartiality and independence. A unified voice against recruitment by the Government and relevant institutions, the international community, donors, and civil society organizations is important. We hope that the Security Council Resolution will not remain words on paper but will lead to action which will make a difference to our children who have suffered for so many years and still do because of recruitment.
National Child Protection Authority
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Violations Committed
by the GOSL - 351
