Journal of Islamic World and Politics
Vol 5, No 2 (2021): December

Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Afghanistan: Cultural Traits as Pivotal Factor

Ghulam Mohammad Qanet (Faculty of Law and Political Science, Herat University)
Mohammad Shekaib Alam (International Islamic University)
Mohammad Naqib Ishan Jan (International Islamic University Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Nov 2021

Abstract

This paper explores the cultural values that prevailed in Afghanistan to understand the recruitment and use of underage soldiers in the long-lasting armed conflict while comparing the existing domestic and international law. The study analyzed the effect of the traditions of Afghans on child soldiering. The method was doctrinal, and therefore, the collected and analyzed data was qualitative. The analysis was thematical, where each related idea was subjected to review and evaluation. The research found that since time immemorial, the Afghan culture traditions were conducive to underage soldiering for various reasons, including peace and justice where male and female child warriors are treated as heroes, perhaps more than any other member of the Afghan society. Due to the stated reasonings, the study established that more underage soldiers were used and recruited during the period of the British Empire, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the civil war that caused the Taliban and Northern Alliance to resume control and in the post 9/11 phase of armed conflict in Afghanistan irrespective of domestic and international law that prohibited the recruitment and use of underage soldiers as it violated their basic fundamental rights of childhood.

Copyrights © 2021






Journal Info

Abbrev

jiwp

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Islamic World and Politics (JIWP) aims to facilitate the deployment of ideas and research in the field of international relations and Islamic ...