"Watershed moment for human rights"

For the first time, an international criminal court convicted war criminals for the conscription of child soldiers. The ruling took place in Sierra Leone, where former military leaders were charged for 11 war crimes. The AP quotes David Crane, who is the founding prosecutor of the Sierra Leone Special Court:

He called the ruling a watershed moment for human rights. "This particular judgment sets the cornerstone forever -- those who recruit children into an armed force are criminally liable," Crane said.

During 10 years of war, high numbers of child soldiers were recruited in Sierra Leone and neighboring Liberia. According to the AP:

In Liberia, Taylor's men are accused of organizing the so-called Small Boys Unit, which conscripted youngsters, armed them with machine guns and baptized them with names like Babykiller.

While the Court's conviction marks a bright spot for human rights advocates, child soldiers continue to suffer in places like Northern Uganda. Setting precedents through punishment is essential, but it is now the international community's responsibility to build a future for these child soldiers and prevent future atrocities such as the crimes in Sierra Leone from happening again.

Imagine truth and reconciliation

Imagine you were raped during your country's 14 year civil war. Imagine you are a victim of the sexual violence that was used as a tool of terror during that civil war. Imagine your rapist, unpunished, passes you on the street every day.

Three years ago, Liberia's civil war ended. It began in 1989 and continued until 2003. Liberia was once a prosperous country in West Africa, but its infrastructure was destroyed during the war. The capital, Monrovia, has not had electricity since 1990 and the sewage and drinking water systems were also destroyed, creating enormous health risks. More than 200,000 people were killed. According to Amnesty International, at least 60% of the population was tortured with sexual violence during the war. Many of the women who were victims of such violence must live near their abusers. Sexual violence is not always rape; it includes being forced to perform or to forced to watch sexual acts done to another. Sex, especially rape, is used in war throughout the world to humiliate, degrade, and terrorize women and girls. About 30% of the child soldiers in the Liberian civil war were girls, most of whom were used as sex slaves. Many of them became pregnant or contracted HIV/AIDS. Because they were used for sex, their families cannot ask for a dowry for them when they marry.

In June 2006, the Liberian government swore in a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Its purpose is to investigate human rights abuses. Although it has subpoena powers and can recommend prosecutions, its mandate does not extend to the actual conviction of individuals. Amnesty International's Africa Programme Director Kolawole Olaniyan said, "Failing to punish suspected perpetrators allows them to believe that they will not have to face the consequences of their horrific acts, ignores the distress of the victims, and creates a risk of further violations." I believe that the TRC will go a long way toward healing Liberia's war wounds, but it must address the crimes of sexual violence in order to be truly effective. Addressing these crimes would be a statement of support toward the victims of sexual violence, and would send a message to the world that perpetrators of sexual violence as a tool of war will be brought to justice. Imagine the power of that message.