Child soldiers during peacebuilding: The case of Afghanistan

Traditional interstate wars are increasingly being replaced by civil wars. Civil wars are usually conducted not through uniformed soldiers and regular armies, but in the form of non-regular combat and by groups that do not carry uniforms. Children are one of the groups most suffered by the conflict, although the majority do not wear uniforms. The protection of the children from the effects of armed conflict is an international peace and security issue with moral and legal responsibility in terms of countries. But the conflict in Afghanistan is a process in which children exist not only as civilians, but also as soldiers. Due to the involvement of child soldiers in the conflict, a more sensitive and clear process for peace studies in the country was required. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the process of reintegrating child soldiers into society during the peacebuilding process in Afghanistan and the difficulties experienced during the work. For this purpose, the study examined the peace efforts carried out after the intervention of Afghanistan in 2001 and the child soldiers who were ignored in the process. This study have shown that the child soldiers who fulfill the military tasks in Afghanistan directly or indirectly are not included in the peace process with efficient and appropriate plans.