Understanding Red Hand Day and the Plight of Child Soldiers
Red Hand Day, observed on 12th February, raises awareness about the recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflict. Children worldwide are forced into roles as combatants, porters, messengers, and more, enduring unimaginable horrors. The day aims to end the use of child soldiers, with progress made but challenges persisting, as seen through real-life stories like that of Norman Okello and Nouri. This calls for global action to protect and support these vulnerable youth.
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Red Hand Day for Child Soldiers 12th February 2021
Thought of the Week Compelled to become instruments of war, to kill and be killed, child soldiers are forced to give violent expression to the hatred of adults. Olaru Otunnu, (1950-), Ugandan politician, diplomat and lawyer.
What is Red Hand Day? Red Hand Day is an international awareness day to address the recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflict. It is a day that we recognise thousands of children around the world are being used in armed groups as combatants, porters, messengers, and for other roles. Many are recruited by force, abducted while at school, or kidnapped from their homes. Red Hand Day started on 12th February 2002 and has campaigned to stop the use of child soldiers are existing. Hundreds and thousands of handprints have been collected in more than 50 countries and handed over to politicians and to responsible parties, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. There is progress, but there are still 250,000 child soldiers in the world.
What does it mean to be a child soldier? Ishmael Beah's Story: From Child Soldier to Human Rights Activist | UNICEF USA YouTube (3 minutes 4 seconds) Escaped child soldier describes life YouTube (2 minutes 34 seconds)
James Story Child Soldier Day Animation YouTube (2 minutes 40 seconds) Thought? Are there similar dangers here in the UK to those faced by James in South Sudan?
Case Study Norman Okello Norman Okello recalls that when he was taken by the Lord s Resistance Army in Uganda, he was beaten up in front of his father. What s more, Norman says, usually, kids were made to kill their own parents. Then, they were exposed to exhaustion, constant marching, and if one was about to say a word or stop, they were sentenced to death. Norman says, When you kill for the first time, automatically, you change. Out of being innocent, you ve become guilty. You feel like you re becoming part of them, part of the rebels.
Case Study - Nouri When Nouri refused to join the army, ISIS soldiers broke his leg in three places. Although that is horrific, this was his lucky ticket, so to say. As he couldn t walk properly after that, he was released. Unfortunately, he can t enjoy his freedom: now, he suffers from panic attacks and doesn t leave his home. His little brother Saman (5) is also deeply traumatised. With missing parents, these kids might never recover. Actually, Iraq is known for the horrific practice of letting child soldiers head to the front clearing mine fields. Thousands of child soldiers died and many more were injured, not being able to play like kids are supposed to do.
Case Study - Nasir Kids are supposed to play, but with toys and friends; not bombs. In this world, where terrorist attacks happen almost every day, the topic of suicide bombers is more than relevant. Nasir was only 12 when he was taken by ISIS and trained to be a suicide bomber. Nasir remembers that terrorists used to brainwash them saying that America was against them. They also used to tell kids that their own families were part of the American conspiracy... and that s why they deserved to die. Nasir admits that he used to cry quietly. Just like all the other kids. In fact, he says, there was a boy who had also been abducted by ISIS who was only five years old.
Dangers in the UK Whilst we don t have child soldiers fighting conflicts here in the UK, the recruitment of children from other groups/gangs is a prevalent issue. Children and young people can get involved with gangs and criminal exploitation. They might be victims of violence or pressured into doing things like stealing or carrying drugs or weapons. They might be abused, exploited and put into dangerous situations. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/gangs-criminal-exploitation/
How can we help? Bring Red Hand Day to social media Colour your hand with red finger paint or use the appropriate tools on our action page and post a photo on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #redhandday and your claim or wish. Ask your friends* to join the action. Our voices can only be heard if many join in. Here you can find a video and other materials about Red Hand Day www.tdh.de/redhandday. You can send a photo of your red hand to abritton@friaryschool.co.uk and we can get these on the schools Instagram page. https://www.redhandday.org/en/mitmachen
