CHILDREN IN WAR: LEGAL NORMS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION

Abstract

The issue of child soldiers remains one of the most pressing concerns in international humanitarian law, requiring attention from legal scholars and experts in international relations. The phenomenon of child recruitment and use in armed conflicts has reached unprecedented levels in modern warfare, particularly in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Historical research shows that while the participation of children in warfare has longstanding roots, it became a systemic issue only in the second half of the 20th century. Factors contributing to this problem include family separation due to war, extreme poverty, forced recruitment through abductions, and ideological indoctrination. Children’s psychological vulnerabilities make them particularly susceptible to manipulation, and the availability of lightweight firearms further facilitates their involvement in combat. The psychological impact on child soldiers is profound and often irreversible. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity stress and violence leads to neurophysiological changes, including emotional dysregulation and behavioral impulsivity. Forced participation in violent acts, particularly against their own communities, results in severe psychological trauma, feelings of guilt, and moral desensitization. For many child soldiers, the process of demobilization and reintegration is exceptionally challenging due to the depth of their trauma and the lack of adequate rehabilitation programs. From a legal perspective, international instruments such as the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), and the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict aim to protect children from recruitment and combat participation. These documents set minimum age thresholds (15 or 18 years) for recruitment and prohibit forced conscription. However, the implementation of these norms remains inadequate due to weak state institutions and the non-compliance of non-state armed groups. Key challenges include the lack of accountability for commanders who recruit children and the insufficient support for child soldiers who commit crimes under coercion. Additionally, many detained child soldiers are treated as criminals rather than victims, violating juvenile justice standards. A particularly alarming trend is the use of children in suicide attacks, driven by psychological indoctrination and the cultivation of martyrdom ideologies. Addressing this global issue requires coordinated international efforts focused on strengthening legal frameworks, addressing root causes such as poverty and inequality, and providing education and rehabilitation programs tailored to the unique needs of child soldiers. Only a comprehensive approach can ensure proper protection for children and offer a path to recovery for those already affected.