What Are The Arguments Against Child Soldiers

Currently there are 300,000 male and female child soldiers ranging between the ages of 6 and18 that are illegally recruited to fight for approximately 30 conflicts around the world. Child soldiers are targets for state-run armies, paramilitaries and rebel groups because of there vulnerability, age and size. Once recruited and trained they are known to commit acts of murder, rape, mass killings and mutilation. There is a debate whether or not children should be prosecuted for their war crimes. Child Soldiers are perceived as innocent and vulnerable but this is the problem. The motive for these armies and rebel groups to recruit these children is because of their place in society. Prosecuting child soldiers is a way of protecting the children. We also need to consider the fact that there are children who do volunteer to join the army.
This is a motive for the state armies and rebel groups. We are basically giving these armies and rebel groups an advantage. They will use the children as an excuse to commit war crimes knowing that there will be no consequences and potentially cause more atrocities. If the court was less forgiving and set rules and guidelines for all children this world would be a safer place. For example if a child around the age of eight was involved in causing a mass killing he should be trialled as an adult because he did something wrong and therefore needs to be accountable for his actions. The punishment of children shouldn't be as harsh as an adult but still give the child a time to reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes so when he does complete his sentence he won't be a danger to society.This will help prevent the recruitment of child soldiers because the armies and rebel groups will know that everyone involved in war crimes will face