I have mailed you today to tell you my personal opinion on the heavily debated topic of whether or not child soldiers from foreign countries should be granted amnesty, or if they should instead be prosecuted for their supposed “crimes.” Personally, I do not support the latter. Before judging someone, you have to put yourself in their shoes and imagine their situation. Many of these child soldiers have lost everything: family and friends, a place to live, food to eat- so just imagine how they would initially feel to be offered benefits like these after being deprived of them for so long. With this reasoning, child soldiers from foreign countries should be granted amnesty because of the harsh conditions they are under.
Many children are lured with benefits or forced into joining the military forces, and then coerced to stay there through brainwashing. Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier from Sierra Leone, like virtually all other child soldiers was put through desensitization camps, where they watched violent films and were drugged with things like brown brown (cocaine mixed with smokeless gunpowder), in order to make them easier to control. It was not until later when Ishmael was rescued and healthy did he even
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These child soldiers who are enlisted are not morally responsible for their actions, since they’re simply following orders in order to stay alive. They are taught the “kill or be killed” mentality, and they need professional help in order to become a functioning and contributing member of society. For instance, Bael was helped by the UNICEF organization, and his true potential, no longer affected by the war he was dragged into, was revealed, and he is now an author and human rights activist. By focusing on improving child soldier’s mental health and life, instead of punishing them, they can do great things just like anyone