Child soldiers test case marks war crimes court's debut

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Child soldiers test case marks war crimes court's debut
Mike Corder, Associated Press in The Hague
Friday November 10, 2006
The Guardian

Prosecutors at the international war crimes tribunal opened a hearing yesterday which they said would show that the world will not tolerate the conscription of child soldiers.

The international criminal court, hearing its first case, began considering evidence against Thomas Lubanga, an alleged Congolese warlord accused of recruiting child soldiers and forcing them to kill and mutilate his enemies.

"The practice of conscripting or enlisting children and using them in warfare represents one of the most brutal and morally troubling crimes against one of the most vulnerable groups in times of war: children," the deputy prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, told the court.

"We hope to send a message that those who use children to fight adult wars will face prosecution under the full weight of international law."

Some 300,000 child soldiers are involved in conflicts around the world, according to the United Nations.

Continued @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/congo/story/0,,1944505,00.html

I hope the message is heard loud & clear throughout the world.

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1. ...

:kick: ... for the children.