Sri Lanka: UNICEF reacts as govt. names ex-child soldiers

Friday, 31 August 2007

thumb_unlogo UNICEF yesterday expressed its concern after the government published, on various websites, the pictures and names of child soldiers who had surrendered to the STF in Ampara. This came despite the Human Rights Ministry announcing the setting up of a committee to deal with child soldiers and their rehabilitation. Two government news websites published the pictures, with full name, gender and age, of all eight child soldiers.

In response, UNICEF spokesman Gordon Weis said, “We were happy to see the statement made by the Minister of Human Rights. However, part of rehabilitating child soldiers is that they do not publicize them as former fighters. This runs contrary to the government’s commitment to rehabilitate these children.”

The four female and four male child soldiers were found hiding and abandoned in the jungle strapped with detonators, anti-personnel mines and LTTE camouflage shirts. The child soldiers had been ordered by the LTTE to attack STF personnel in the Kanjikudichcha Aru area.

Gordon Weis also expressed the need to ensure anonymity for child soldiers in the hope that they would better reintegrate with their communities. After rehabilitation, according to UNICEF, the seven child soldiers and 20 year old cadre would be sent home to start life afresh.

The UNICEF spokesman argued that international standards prohibited exposing the identities of children accused of committing crimes -- whether truancy or being child soldiers. The Sri Lankan government stated that the rescued child soldiers will be reintegrated into their original communities. Gordon Weis warned: “If child soldiers are easily identified, it will be much harder to reintegrate them.”

There are fears that, by publishing the names of the child soldiers, the defence authorities had virtually exposed the children and their families to greater danger from the LTTE.

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Kelsie said:

This seems highly irresponsible of the Sri Lankan government, as though it is counting on reprisal attacks against these children. Little kids forced into military service should be protected by anonymity--they shouldn't have their names broadcasted to the world.

2007-09-03 00:29:51

R.Gnanaratnam said:

From under the Kaithady bridge two child soldiers sprang on to the road a month after the peace truce was declared with mechine guns in hand.They seemed lonely and friendly.They had hardly seen any human being on that road.Other than them and two civilians no one else was there.
Here is the truth.
They were 16yrs and 17yrs old hailing from a village close to Kandy which they declared.They said they were not treated well,no shelter,no proper meals and rest while the higher ups were flying to colombo to enjoy week ends.

If they ran away the army will harrass and eventually arrest their family members and toture them.
Their pay which is very poor goes directly to their parents who are very poor.This was how they were enticed to join the army.They had only two weeks of trining how to use a machine gun.
They had guns in their hands.
If they did run away they can never ever go back to their parents and their village becuase the army has men to look for them and will come for them to toture and murder.
So what is the government crying about?

The Tamil children who run away to fight for their land and freedom are the children who have suffered the most,who are either orphans having lost their parents when shot by the army or bombed.Or children having to go through untold misery due to this war that they want their freedom.Even if they lose their lives fighting for the future of their Tamil brothers and sisters.

What are the child soldiers of the GOSL fighting for?

Please don't give us the crap that they are all fighting to save their country.!

They,GOSL and the politicians of the south will be the first to become traitors if a foreign invasion takes place.

2007-09-04 19:07:01

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