U.S. tax dollars continue to fund the use of child soldiers abroad

• Worldwide, a quarter of a million children are used by armed groups as soldiers, mine detectors, sex slaves.
• American tax dollars support military assistance for six governments that use child soldiers.
• The Child Soldier Prevention Act would restrict military assistance to governments using child soldiers.
• The bill has been before Congress since April 2007 and is still waiting for a Senate vote.

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2008 —Last week, President Bush signed into law the Child Soldier Accountability Act. The new law effectively closes the United States as a haven for military leaders suspected of recruiting and using child soldiers. However, American tax dollars still continue to provide military assistance to governments that exploit children as soldiers.

In fact, the United States provides military assistance to six governments that use children in their armies: Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uganda. Worldwide, a quarter of a million children are used by these and other national armies and armed groups as soldiers, mine detectors, porters and sex slaves.

World Vision applauds the passage of the Child Soldier Accountability Act, which allows the United States to arrest, fine and imprison military commanders who have recruited child soldiers. This is a powerful bill that can help bring to justice those who have exploited children in war.

However, Congress can and must do more. An additional bill, The Child Soldier Prevention Act (S.1175), will have a greater impact in areas where children are used as weapons of war. The bill would restrict U.S. military assistance to governments that recruit and use child soldiers — in essence, preventing Americans’ tax dollars from contributing to this exploitation.

The Child Soldier Prevention Act was introduced in Congress April 19, 2007, and the Senate has yet to vote on it.

Currently, Congress is focusing on the economic crisis. However, a “lame duck” session in November or December looks possible, during which time, Members of Congress can address issues and bills that have been set aside.

During that session, the Senate must vote on the Child Soldier Prevention Act. If they neglect to pass this bill, American tax dollars will continue to pay to put guns in the hands of child soldiers around the world.



World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.