Child Soldiers in Burma
October 30, 2007 10:15 PM Subscribe
Sold to Be Soldiers: The Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Burma.
“I can’t remember how old I was the first time in fighting. About 13. That time we walked into a Karenni ambush, and four of our soldiers died. I was afraid because I was very young so I tried to run back, but [the] captain shouted, ‘Don’t run back! If you run back I’ll shoot you myself!’”
—Aung Zaw, describing his first exposure to combat
“I can’t remember how old I was the first time in fighting. About 13. That time we walked into a Karenni ambush, and four of our soldiers died. I was afraid because I was very young so I tried to run back, but [the] captain shouted, ‘Don’t run back! If you run back I’ll shoot you myself!’”
—Aung Zaw, describing his first exposure to combat
At my niece's high school graduation a few years back, one kid was accompanied by his recruiter in uniform. The kid had a broken arm, the recruiter was on his cell phone: "Look, we already talked about this. The cast is coming off in three weeks, I've already cleared this." I wonder if that kid is still alive.
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:45 AM on October 31, 2007
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:45 AM on October 31, 2007
I really don't think "recruitment" is the right word in the FPP. It implies...a choice in the matter.
(not that there's much of a choice once US recruiters get their hooks in you, either...)
posted by notsnot at 5:56 AM on October 31, 2007
(not that there's much of a choice once US recruiters get their hooks in you, either...)
posted by notsnot at 5:56 AM on October 31, 2007
You're right. These kids are basically being forced into slavery.
posted by homunculus at 2:59 PM on October 31, 2007
posted by homunculus at 2:59 PM on October 31, 2007
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posted by Pope Guilty at 10:57 PM on October 30, 2007