Human Rights And Kids In Armed Conflict

They are not just kids in their early teens doing what teenagers normally do. Because they had the misfortune of growing up in a part of Uganda wracked by a religious, civil war, they were forced to serve as soldiers and commit atrocities. The lucky ones found haven in rehabilitation centres operated with assistance from UNHCR, UNICEF and other UN agencies. Their healing begins with food and drink, family reunion and psychological attention. The UN is trying to amend the age of military recruitment in the Convention on the Rights of the Child from 15 to 18 years so that the kids can be just kids again.