The Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka
Statement by David Kilgour, M.P.
Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont
Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development
March 24, 2005

It is paramount that both sides return to the peace process in Sri Lanka to build sustainable peace and put an end to all of the harmful effects associated with ongoing conflict, among them, the recruitment of child soldiers. All Canadians want peace and nonviolence to prevail in Sri Lanka.

Violation of the human rights of children in Sri Lanka, through forcible recruitment as child soldiers by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a matter of major concern to members of the international community and was recently discussed by the UN Security Council.

UNICEF has documented 3516 cases of child recruitment by the LTTE during the ceasefire period since February, 2002.  According to UNICEF, “An enormous recruitment drive began with the cease-fire. The LTTE had access to government controlled areas like never before.”  The recruitment became so intense that less than 50% of students went to school as many parents kept their children at home out of fear that they would be taken away by the LTTE while walking to and from school

According to UNICEF and Human Rights Watch, following the tsunami devastation in Sri Lanka, LTTE began recruiting orphaned children in a number of affected areas. Human Rights Watch states: “The Tamil Tigers are preying on the most vulnerable by taking advantage of children who have been orphaned or displaced by the tsunami.  Every effort must be made to stop this unconscionable recruiting from families who have already suffered so much. As the LTTE seeks to rebuild its forces after losing soldiers in the tsunami, children are at enormous risk.  Children have always been targeted, but children who have lost their homes or families from the tsunami now are even more susceptible to LTTE recruitment.”

Canada must address the issue of child soldiers in Sri Lanka and ensure that Canadian funds provided to improve the situation of children in vulnerable circumstances meet our objective.  Recruitment prevention and child protection initiatives should be strengthened in all areas, including tsunami-affected areas, relief camps and orphanages.