Child Soldiers

The first 200 words of this essay...

I specifically began my essay with this pertinent question to set into play what I am to debate, that being: should child soldiers in various conflict areas throughout the world stand on trial for crimes against humanity? In order to fully understand the issue at hand we must first understand the concept of a "child soldier", their function and motives. Secondly, the idea of Human Rights needs to be incorporated into the issue. Thirdly, what are considered crimes against humanity and do they apply in this particular issue? Then once all the above criteria has been carefully analysed, a clear, logical and in depth answer can be provided as well as possible alternatives or solutions regarding this very serious and prevalent concern.

So, what exactly are "child soldiers"? A definition from the United Nations Organisation terms it as follows: While there is no precise definition, the UN considers a child soldier any person under the age of 18 who is a member of or attached to government armed forces or any other regular or irregular armed force or armed political group, whether or not an armed conflict exists. Child soldiers perform a range of tasks including participation in combat, laying