The Use of Child Soldiers in Armed Conflicts: Violations of United Nations Convention on Rights of a Child (UNCRC) in Somalia

Abstract

Recruitment of children in armed rebellion groups is a major international human rights issue in Somalia. There are multiple factors that play a role as far as the recruitment of children in armed groups is concerned. Different rebel groups including Hizb ul Islam and Al-Shabab have been active in the country and violate laws associated with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC). They are recruiting children for the purpose of suicide bombings and other terrorist activities. The objective of this research is to find out the factors behind children joining these armed groups in Somalia. Its other objective is to know the role of armed groups in recruiting children into their militias and finally to assess how the international child’s rights convention is violated as a result of such activities of the armed groups. Methodology: To achieve the research objectives, a case study approach under the qualitative method is used. Findings: The findings of the research show that Al-Shabab has been recruiting children in their ranks by using various techniques such as propaganda and brainwashing by violating the international child’s rights convention and child’s rights law in Somalia. Moreover, the findings also show that different factors including local, political, intrinsic, religious and lack of udicial enforcement and legal accountability play a role in compelling children in joining armed groups in the country. Conclusion: The research suggests that there needs a structural reform in the political and judicial system of Somalia that will be helpful to disallow any group to recruit children in their ranks and severe punishment is suggested to stop such crimes in the future.