Child Soldiers: Practice, Law and Remedies (Rev Ed)

Tens of thousands of boys and girls are being used as soldiers by armed forces and non-state armed groups in conflict zones worldwide. There is no official figure for the number of child soldiers worldwide; however, there may be as many as 300,00 involved in armed conflicts in different tasks. It is estimated that up to 40% of child soldiers within certain conflicts are girls. Child soldiers come cheap, very cheap. They are easy to maintain: they eat and drink less; they need not be well-clothed or sheltered or even paid. They can multitask: collect information/intelligence, fetch water and supplies, prepare food, and do laundry. They can be psychologically manipulated for suicide missions. They can be ideal guards for their commanders. They could even be sexually exploited by their superiors. The United Nations Report has shown that in 2025, violations against children in armed conflict, including their use as soldiers, reached unprecedented levels. Situations with the highest numbers of children recruited and used include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Haiti, Somalia, and Colombia. Reportedly, the government forces were the main perpetrators of a majority of grave violations. This book gives an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide. It examines the inadequacy of international institutions and laws in protecting children. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested or working in the field of protecting children: teachers, students, lawyers, government officials, military and police personnel, researchers and human rights activists.