Summary of A Long Way Gone – Memoir of Child Soldier in Sierra Leone Civil War

It is a memoir by Ishmael Beah, who survived in the war-torn region. He along with many other children became victims of war when violence broke out in Sierra Leone. He was twelve years old when his village was attacked by the armed rebel groups. He fled the village and managed to get a few companions of similar age. The survival instinct led them to commit acts blurring the line of rational decisions.

Later, Alhaji and Ismael got recruited as child soldiers by the armed group. They were induced with several drugs to repress their emotions and conscience. They got involved in committing violence, such as killing, torturing, and maiming civilians, prisoners of war, rebels, and government agents. After three years, he along with his friend were rescued by the UNICEF and sent to a rehabilitation center. Initially, he was traumatized by his past and also showed withdrawal symptoms of drug abuse.

Gradually, his condition improved because of the love and empathy received by Esther, who was a nurse in the same rehabilitation center. He was welcomed and adopted by his uncle’s family in Freetown. Ishmael along with other children of war was invited to speak at United Nations about their survival experience. Over there, he shared similar experiences with other child victims.

Later Freetown was also attacked which resulted in deaths and casualties. With the help of Laura Simms, who was his chaperone, Ishmael succeeded in fleeing the area. Laura Simms became his foster mother in the U.S., where he started his new life. Gradually, Ishmael forgave himself and continued with his life.

Victims of the war suffer a wide range of Human rights violations. The vulnerable group i.e., women, children, and old people suffer the most.  Among them, child victims face abuses of all forms, such as emotional, physical, and mental [1]. Thus, leaving a scar on their life. Similar is the case with Ishmael who became a victim of the war. Article 4(3)(c) of the Geneva Convention prohibits, the recruitment of children below the age of fifteen in armed groups [2].

Additionally, the UN adoption of the optional protocol to the Children Convention 2000 discussed children involved in armed conflicts and measures to prevent their recruitment in war and hostilities. International humanitarian law (IHL) also prohibits child soldiers and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has defined it as a war crime [3].

Child soldiers face a violation of certain rights, such as the right to life, right to education, right to freedom of movement, thought, conscience, and the like. They are subjected to torture, maiming, sexual violation, and killings. Child victims of the war are lured by the armed rebels into joining them by their complete brainwashing [4]. Ishmael along with his friend Alhaji became child soldiers after being brainwashed.

Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone – A Gross Violation of Human Rights

Also, they joined thinking it was their best chance at survival. The children of war lose their home, family, and also identity. Child soldiers are used as messengers, spies, or even for lookouts. Incidents of children involved in suicide missions are higher than adults. Girl child soldiers face living hell by being subjected to sexual violence, slavery, and atrocities [5]. The memoirs of the author show a gross violation of human rights due to deployment on the front lines and drug abuse. There are 54 children’s rights guaranteed under the UNCRC.

Ishmael and other child soldiers in his autobiography faced the basic denial of rights guaranteed as a child, such as the Right to protection against abuse, violence, or exploitation (Art. 19), right to life, development, and survival (Art. 27), right to express their beliefs and opinion (Art. 15 and 16), right to education (Art. 28 and 29), and right to be with parents (Art. 18). Additionally, member states of UNCRC take measures to aid the social reintegration of child victims by ensuring psychological, and physical as guaranteed under Art. 24 of UNCRC [6].

Ishmael’s story leaves a very powerful impact on one’s mind, it is eye-opening due to its coverage showing the evils of war on children like the civil war in Sierra Leone. Where, thousands got displaced, exploited, or killed. Ismael’s story gives hope that people can overcome their past with some love and empathy, no matter how tragic it was.

The book exposes the recruitment process by brainwashing, manipulation, causing fear, and the survival needs to get children involved in the propaganda to fight in internal conflicts around the world. Recruitment of children as a soldier is a usual practice in war-torn countries, particularly Sierra Leone.

It is suggested to continue the rescue and rehabilitate children of war. So, children like Ishmael do not suffer such tragic fates. Children are fragile, childhood love and care mold their entire life. Thus, effective measures and interventions are required to protect children at a tender age.  Better supervision of recruitment practices of the security companies and private military by the Government. Additional efforts by the UN and other international organizations in addressing the root cause of the problem by criminalizing child recruitment in armed forces. Awareness is a driving force of action plans and safety measures.

Thus, the suggestion is to continue the global campaign to generate greater awareness that would lead to effective actions and outcomes. An improved and stronger collaboration between the international communities, civil society, and United Nations needs to be made to ensure the protection of children in times of conflict.

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui

UNCRC Guarantees Children’s Rights but Child Soldiers are Denied Them

The book is the story of Nujood Ali, a girl from Yemen who is the youngest divorcee in the world. The story is about Nujood’s early childhood, forced marriage, her fight for divorce, and her life post-divorce.

She grew up in the city of Sana’a in an orthodox and patriarchal family. She was taught not to question the decisions of her father and other male members. At the age of ten, her father married her off to a man in his thirties.  Nujood was raped by her husband and frequently beaten by her in-laws.

After two months, she escaped and went to court for divorce on the advice of her stepmother. She was noticed by the Judge, Mohammed al G?adha, who gave her temporary refuge and also led her father and husband into custody. With the help of Shada Nasser who is a women’s rights advocate.

She took her case as pro bono and won the impossible battle of divorce in a country like Yemen. Also, the media played a crucial role in backing her cause and getting a decree of divorce. Soon she became a symbol of hope and courage for young girls sharing a similar fate.

She defied and challenged the traditions and broke the stereotype. Nujood has broken the taboo of divorce and inspired many young girls in demanding a divorce.

Her case challenged the minimum age for marriage in Yemen which was fifteen. However, girls below fifteen were married on contractual conditions of no sexual contract until puberty. She co-authored the current book with a French Journalist. The publisher sent royalties to her father until she turned 18. Her story was praised by renowned individuals including Hilary Clinton.   

The memoirs of Nujood include horrific experiences of her forced marriage and her courageous escape. She broke the stigma of divorce and became the youngest divorcee in the world.

Even without her family’s strong dissent, she was able to earn her freedom and liberty. Forced and early marriages are common phenomena in poor countries like Yemen, where a 10-year-old Najood broke the stereotype.

Her act became a ray of hope for children suffering a similar fate to break free from the outdated and evil practice of early and forced marriages. She became a symbol of hope for other girls in Yemen.

The Data of the IRC suggests around 33% of young girls in developing countries get married before turning 18 [7].  Article 16 (2) of UDHR states marriage requires full and free consent of the spouses to receive validity status.

Preventing Child Recruitment and Rehabilitating Child Victims of War

Additionally, International law also imposes a restriction on forced marriages of children categorizing it as a violation of human rights [8]. Child marriages end childhood abruptly depriving children of several rights guaranteed under UNCRC. Some of them are: 

• The right to freely develop cultural and religious preferences (Art.14),
• The Right of freedom of thought, associations (Art. 15 and 16),
• The Right of freedom of protection (19), right to education (28 and 29),
• The Right to survival and development (27),
• The Right of Child’s right to rest and leisure (Art. 31) and the like [9].

It is suggested to increase support for organizations involved in serving child victims around the globe. States shall take additional measures to promote peace and security to create a better world for children.

Also, awareness is the key to success [10]. Speaking about the child victims and their agonies at different platforms can lead to effective measures by the government and international communities including regional organizations. This would help in seeking the world’s attention to child victims and ultimately help in aiding support for resources for their protection.

The story provides a detailed account of the experiences of Lakshmi, a girl from Nepal who was forced into prostitution. Lakshmi lived in a small but beautiful village near mountains in Nepal. She was happy living there with her family, friends, and Tali, her goat. She belonged to a poor family, but she was happy with the little pleasures of life.

The same year, harsh monsoons made their condition worse by washing away their crops. Her step-father persuaded her to leave home and earn money to support the family. She goes to India with a charming stranger thinking of working as a maid in the city. Lakshmi felt grateful to be capable of supporting her family.

After covering a long distance, she finally arrived at her predetermined destination, which was ‘Happiness House’. She soon realized the lies of her step-father. She was sold into prostitution. The brothel was managed by an old woman, Mumtaz, who was cruel and intimidating. She told Lakshmi to work as a prostitute and pay off her debt to earn freedom. However, she continuously deducted her money for silly reasons, so Lakshmi could never leave the brothel.

Lakshmi was trapped in hell from where she cannot escape. She made a friend, Shahanna, in the brothel who comforted her. They both endured the wraths of Mumtaz who used inhumane punishments, such as shoving red chili in female genitalia, starving, and beating them.  The lives of girls in the brothel were a nightmare. Lakshmi taught herself to speak and read English from active listening and books.

Fortunately, they were saved by an American who gathered evidence against Mumtaz and got her arrested. The arrest of Mumtaz and her associates led to the release of other girls along with Lakshmi from the brothel.

Nujood Ali – The Youngest Divorcee in the World

The minor girl Lakshmi faced child prostitution, violence both physical and mental. Minors like Lakshmi are often sold by their own parents for money. Child prostitution and trafficking is serious problem around the globe.

Each year around 5,000 to 7,000 Nepali girls are trafficked to India for the purpose of prostitution, labor, marriage, or organ trade. The majority of them are forced into prostitution. The data shows the high demand and supply of children as prostitutes [11].  

Child prostitution is considered one of the heinous crimes against children and it is widely criticized. The recent stand to stop child trafficking and prostitution has been taken by the UNGA. It adopted an additional protocol prohibiting the sale of children, child pornography, and prostitution in 2000.

The Convention recognizes the child’s rights of being protected from physical, mental, social, and economic exploitation (Art. 32, 34, 35, 36, and 37 of UNCRC). It abstains children from indulging in any malicious work. It advocates for the right to education, health, and social development of children. Child prostitution violates all the rights enumerated in the Additional Protocol of UNCRC [12].

The UNCRC also prohibits child exploitation in any form. Trafficking and prostitution have deep roots making their eradication difficult. International communities have been taking measures to stop child prostitution by recognizing it as a serious crime with jail term punishment [13]. Lakshmi faced several forms of violence including sexual, physical, emotional, and mental.

Thus, violating the rights enumerated under UNCRC along with the additional protocol. The latter provides articles urging the member states to prohibit pornography, prostitution, and the buying and selling of children. The protocol has been ratified by more than 120 states.

ILO Convention has declared sexual exploitation of children as the worst form of child offense. It criminalizes child prostitution with the objective of eliminating the worst forms of child labor [14].

The adoption of the third optional protocol, by the UNGA in 2011, has strengthened the enforcement mechanism of child’s rights. It enables children to directly approach the UN Committee for the redressal of the rights infringed.

It is suggested to lay more emphasis on the three essential areas, such as education, healthcare, and protection from exploitation. With the right and active measures, trapped children can be rescued. Only if a collaborative and cooperative approach is taken. The responsibility to eliminate the evils of child exploitation such as trafficking and prostitution falls on the shoulder of the government as well as its citizens.

The government of states along with other international and regional organizations has taken numerous steps to resolve child violence and exploitation. On an individual level, being informed and spreading awareness about sexual violence and the exploitation of children. This helps in maintaining the gravity of the problem and augments governmental efforts. The international communities need to keep reminding warring parties to make the protection of children a priority.

Article 51 of the international law and Article 38 of UNHCRC promotes peace and security by maintaining honorable and cordial relations among different states and ensuring compliance of International Humanitarian law [15].

Despite the efforts, the UNCRC is yet to be widely known and fully implemented by various states. The statistics show the infringement of the rights of millions of children. They are denied proper education, adequate healthcare, food and nutrition, and protection from exploitation and violence.  

All three stories reflect the horrors of the world borne by the vulnerable children of tender age. Also, Child exploitation leaves a scar on societies’ moral and social structure [16]. The prevalence of the evils of child marriage, child soldiers, and child prostitution indicates the need to undertake more focused and effective measures to ensure the protection and safety of children.  World leaders, communities, and individuals need to work towards making the world a safe haven for everyone, particularly children.

References

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