Southeast Asia

Within the last week, I wrote about Ishmael Beah's recent appearance at the University at Buffalo. Beah, a former child soldier, discussed his experiences and his rehabilitation.

Afterwards, due to how intriguing the issue is, I was interested in finding out where in the world are child soldiers fighting, whether for their government or for an opposition force.

Human Rights Watch assembled a list of 33 countries where child soldiers are known to be used. For the sake of this argument and discussion, here is that list again.

G indicates children are serving in government forces
P in paramilitaries, and
O in opposition forces.

Colombia (P,O)
Mexico (P,O)
Peru (O)
Russian Fed (O)
Turkey (O)
Yugoslavia (P,O)
Algeria (P,O)
Angola (G,O)
Burundi (G,O)
Chad, (G)
Repub of Congo, (G,O)
DRC (G,O)
Eritrea (G)
Ethiopia (G)
Rwanda (G,O)
Sierra Leone (all groups)
Somalia (all groups)
Sudan (G,P,O)
Uganda (G,O)
Afghanistan (all groups)
Iran (G,O)
Iraq (G,O)
Israel and OT (G,O)
Lebanon (O)
India (P,O)
Indonesia (P,O)
Myanmar (G,O)
Nepal (O)
Pakistan (O)
Philippines (O)
Solomon Islands (O)
Papua New Guniea (O)
Sri Lanka (O)