In the words of Graca Machel, "The callousness of modern warfare
may be a natural outcome of the social revolutions that have torn
traditional societies apart. But whatever the causes, the time has
come to call a halt. The international community must proclaim
attacks on children for what they are - intolerable and
unacceptable" (Machel, 1996).
This issue focuses on children caught up in violent conflict - a
reality for millions of children in the world; a reality that
consistently robs them of justice, indeed of their human rights; a
reality including children caught up in the ongoing struggle
between Israel and Palestine.
Our collective moral obligation to all children should be without
question. Our obligation under law is clear. Although all the
Geneva Conventions provide various protections to civilians during
international war, the Fourth Geneva Convention is specifically
designed to protect children in war.
On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a
comprehensive international treaty for the protection of children.
Entering into force in 1990, this convention brings together
existing international law and new standards for issues not
previously addressed. The United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child is applicable at all times - in times of peace and in
times of war (NGO Committee on UNICEF, 1993).
Children's rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child include, for example, the child's right to life; the
right to a name, a home and a family; the right to a nationality;
the right to education and recreation; freedom of expression;
dignity and special protection and care in situations of armed
conflict.
Most countries have ratified these treaties, effectively adding
them to the existing body of international law. But recent armed
conflicts clearly demonstrate adult neglect and, in many cases,
abuse of the human rights of children.
War on Children
In the last decade, more than 1.5 million children have been killed
in wars. More than four million have been physically disabled
-limbs amputated, brains damaged, eyesight and hearing lost -
through bombing, land mines, firearms and torture. Five million
children are in refugee camps because of war; a further 12 million
have lost their homes (NGO Committee on UNICEF, 1993). In over 30
countries, children as young as 9 have been used as soldiers in
civil wars, armies of liberation, and in international conflicts
over the past 10 years (Woods, 1991), UNICEF estimates that 10
million children in the world have suffered psychological trauma as
a result of the violence of armed conflict (UNICEF, 1992).
Unfortunately, Palestinian children are no exception, According to
UNRWA, between December 1987 and April 1993, over 22,000
Palestinian children under the age of 15 were injured by live
ammunition, plastic- and rubber-coated bullets, beatings or tear
gas seriously enough to seek medical attention. The Palestinian
Human Rights Information Center reported in May 1994 that 360
children had been killed by Israeli troops since the beginning of
the Intifada in 1987. Israeli children have been the casualties of
random acts of violence.
This "war on children" is a 20th-century invention. Only five
percent of the casualties of the First World War were civilians, By
the Second World War, the proportion had risen to 50 percent. And
as the century ends, the civilian share is normally about 80
percent - most of them women and children.
Modem conflicts are conducted in children's "backyards." It is
difficult, if not impossible, to ensure children's human rights
when guns, grenades, tear gas, tanks and armed personnel carriers
are brought to the streets near their schools and homes in their
communities. Children are caught in the crossfire and worse. "Armed
conflict, more than any other force, has transformed the lives of
millions of children and women. Children and their families are not
just getting caught in the crossfire. Many are being targeted.
Nothing is spared, held sacred or protected. It is the singular
characteristic of armed conflict in our time that children suffer
most" (Machel, 1996),
The indirect effects are devastating. Schools and clinics are
closed or destroyed. Food supply lines are broken. Water and
sanitation systems break down. Homes are demolished. Millions flee
or are forced to refugee camps. And always, the heaviest burden is
borne by children - children who are separated from their families
by killing or imprisonment, who miss their chance to grow normally
in body and mind, to be educated and to acquire the skills to find
a place in society (NGO Committee on UNICEF, 1993).
One of the significant recommendations in the Graca Machel study on
the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children (1996) is the need to
promote the psychological recovery and social reintegration of
these children. Noting that, historically, the United Nations'
focus was on physical damage, this report suggests that the short-
and long-term psychological consequences of war on children must be
taken into account.
A number of studies conducted in the West Bank and Gaza claim that
almost all Palestinian children have been exposed to traumatic
events related to the conflict (UNICEF, 1995). Furthermore, Israeli
scientists note that "Israel is a natural laboratory for the study
of war stress ...Israeli children are brought up with a continuous
awareness of war ... nearly everyone in the country knows someone
who has either been wounded or died in war" (Klingman and Raviv,
1993).
Although individual response to traumatic events differs from child
to child - depending on a number of factors, such as age, prior
experience, and available support systems - the consistency of core
responses is clear: heightened anxiety, generalized fears, and loss
of self-esteem (Van der Kolk, 1987). Some children respond with
withdrawal, avoidance and denial. While these responses are
self-protective, the isolation removes them from full participation
in the world of family, school and community and, thus, exacerbates
their emotional problems. Others respond with self-blame and
feelings of helplessness. Still other children develop angry,
hostile behavior patterns and act out their aggression (Garbarino,
Kostelny, Dubrow, 1991).
The Destruction of Norms
But there is a more serious problem that children experience as a
result of exposure to violent trauma: the break in trust in fellow
human beings, in relationships and in hope for the future. The
danger children have lived through is not only of physical
injuries, often resulting in physical handicaps, but of
psychological and moral injuries as well. This danger stems from
being put frequently in situations which contradict the norms of
society these children would have internalized within their family
and community structures. Such norms may have involved the sanctity
of life, yet children see their parents killed before them. They
may have learned to define morality (right vs. wrong), yet these
children witness violations of all human rights - humiliation,
harassment and total disregard for the process of justice. Some
children are forced to fight, to hold arms, to kill.
The effect of violent trauma can persist throughout one's life if
one does not deal with the trauma. Children can hold on to anger,
frustration, rage and guilt for some time not knowing exactly what
to do with it or how to express it. However, we have learned a
great deal about what helps children to cope. First, children
should not be left alone to integrate the psychological
consequences of violent trauma. Though less visible than physical
injury, emotional injuries are no less serious. The commonly held
assumption that they will recover from their traumatic experiences
on their own has frequently been proven to be a myth (Dubrow,
1995).
Most important is that we take notice of their experiences,
understand the complexity of what these experiences mean in their
lives and create opportunities for them to express what happened
and how they feel about it. Sometimes with words, other times with
dance, music, art, drama, story¬telling and sports, children's
expressions emerge.
Neglect throughout history of the psychological consequences of all
forms of violence has only served to prolong the pain and recovery
of its victims. Recognition of the psychological needs of these
children has been a first step. The next step should be toward
development of informed community-based support services. Without
attending to these children, the future of entire countries, indeed
our world community, will be greatly compromised. We share a
profound responsibility to prevent violence against children, to
monitor and intervene in its occurrence, and to ameliorate its
aftermath when tragedies have occurred.
The recently published report to the Secretary General of the
United Nations on The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children (Machel,
1996) challenges world leadership to evaluate their actions towards
children who live in situations of armed conflict. Furthermore, the
report insists on recognition and correction of the deterioration
of our moral values which have allowed violation of children's
rights. The latter may require us "to delve into the depths of the
other's soul" (Oz, 1994). Ultimately, there is a plea to commit no
further violence against any child.
Most important is that we take notice of their experiences,
understand the complexity of what these experiences mean in their
lives and create opportunities for them to express what happened
and how they feel about it. Sometimes with words, other times with
dance, music, art, drama, story¬telling and sports, children's
expressions emerge.
Neglect throughout history of the psychological consequences of all
forms of violence has only served to prolong the pain and recovery
of its victims. Recognition of the psychological needs of these
children has been a first step. The next step should be toward
development of informed community-based support services. Without
attending to these children, the future of entire countries, indeed
our world community, will be greatly compromised. We share a
profound responsibility to prevent violence against children, to
monitor and intervene in its occurrence, and to ameliorate its
aftermath when tragedies have occurred.
The recently published report to the Secretary General of the
United Nations on The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children (Machel,
1996) challenges world leadership to evaluate their actions towards
children who live in situations of armed conflict. Furthermore, the
report insists on recognition and correction of the deterioration
of our moral values which have allowed violation of children's
rights. The latter may require us "to delve into the depths of the
other's soul" (Oz, 1994). Ultimately, there is a plea to commit no
further violence against any child.
References
Dubrow, N., N. Liwski, C. Palacious and M. Gardinier. "Traumatized
Children: Helping Child Victims of Violence: The Contribution of
Non-Governmental Organizations." International Responses to
Traumatic Stress: Humanitarian Contributions, Collaborative Actions
and Future Initiatives, published for and on behalf of the United
Nations. New York: Baywood Publishing Company, 1995.
Garbarino, J., K. Kostelny and N. Dubrow. No Place to Be a Child:
Growing Up in a War Zone. Lexington: Lexington Books, 1991.
Klingman, A., and A. Raviv. "The Effect of War on Israeli
Children." The Psychological Effects of War and Violence on
Children, eds., L. Leavitt and N. Fox. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates, 1993.
Machel, G. Impact of Armed Conflict on Children: Selected
Highlights. New York: Department of Public Information and United
Nations' Children's Fund, 1996.
NGO Committee on UNICEF Working Group on Children in Armed
Conflict. Summary of International Treaties to Protect Children in
Armed Conflict. New York: NGO Committee on UNICEF,1993.
Oz, A. Israel, Palestine and Peace Essays. San Diego: Harcourt
Brace & Company, 1994.
UNICEF. The State of the Palestinian Child in the West Bank and
Gaza. East Jerusalem: UNICEF,
1995.
--. The State of the World's Children. New York: UNICEF,
1992.
Van der Kolk, B. Psychological Trauma. Washington, D.C.: American
Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1987. Woods, D. Child Soldiers in the War
between Ethiopia and Eritrean Liberation Forces: Summary
Report.
Eureka Springs: Center on War & the Child, 1991.