Child Soldiers – MASTER OF NONE

Legitimizing a convicted terrorist

WHAT A FARCE!!! That’s all I can say about the marshmallow puff questions posed towards Omar Khadr last night. If you would like a minute to minute description of the event, you can go through True North’s Andrew Lawton’s Twitter feed from the event.

Here’s a few points from last night’s session:

The moderator came out with the statement that they wanted the ‘hard questions‘ to be asked of Khadr. Immediately, the audience was told that no questions related to the ‘incident’ that occcured in Afghanistan or the government settlement would be taken. Well, For Fuck’s Sake, what was the point of having him there???
So instead of tough questions, Khadr got asked about the weather and if he read poetry in Guantanamo. He did volunteer that his dad got the family a pony when he was a kid.
During the Twitter rounds afterwards, I pointed out to some bleeding hearts that Khadr was not a child soldier. To begin with, he was not recruited by a regular army and using the term soldier implies legitimacy. Really, he was a young terrorist.
Also, under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict , he was a legal adult for the purposes of combat. Here’s the timeline: the Protocol was brought into force by the UN in February 2002; Khadr, who was 15 at the time, was detained by American forces in July 2002; the States did not ratify the Protocol until December 2002. So under the rules of the time, Khadr was an adult combatant with a terrorist organization, Al Qaeda, ergo he could be treated as an adult terrorist. Canada had signed the Protocol back in 2000 but because he was detained by Americans, he fell under their jurisdiction.
One statement from Khadr was that he did not believe in borders and it should be an open world. I thought that was interesting since he fought so hard to have his Canadian citizenship recognized so that he could be transferred to a Canadian jail.
There was a small protest of Canadian veterans present. I would encourage you to listen to what this veteran has to say on this video.

So for a night where Khadr was supposed to be talking about child soldiering, he did nothing of the sort. It was just another love-in session for Canada’s reformed terrorist and he received a standing ovation from the audience.

DISGUSTING!!!

So tonight is the big night. It’ll be interesting to hear the reports from the event. If I were there, here are the questions I would be asking Mr. Khadr:

Does he take any responsibility for the killing of Sgt Speer and the maiming of the other soldier? Does he unequivocally feel remorse for those actions?
Does he take any responsibility for the creation of IEDs which were probably targeted at coalition soldiers? Does he unequivocally feel remorse for any persons, military or civilian, who may have been killed or injured by IEDs that he helped build?
If he does feel remorse or responsibility for the killing or injuring of anyone, what is he doing to help right that wrong. For example, will he share any of his government payout money with the widow and children of the man he killed?
Has Mr. Khadr renounced the activities of the family members and former acquaintances who have been or are still connected to terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda? Does he have any contact with those people? Has he supported them with any monies whether directly or through third parties? What groups, if any, does Mr. Khadr support and fund with his payout money?
Mr. Khadr mused about becoming a nurse at one point. So why did he buy a strip mall? It seems an odd purchase. Although, he is free to do whatever with his payout money, it seems strange. What else or what other plans does he have with all that money?
If able, does Mr. Khadr plan to someday revisit Afghanistan or Pakistan? Who would he go see and what would be his intent while there?

I doubt he would be forthcoming on any of those questions. After watching his interviews, all I see is someone who weasels away from a direct answer. Also, I understand that he will once again be refusing to talk to the media directly. Wouldn’t want to disturb the carefully laid out narrative, would we?

***Latest Update – CBC News responded to my questions in regards to Naylah Ahed moderating the Dalhousie event. “The event you mentioned last is being hosted by the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, in partnership with Dalhousie University’s Open Dialogue series, and while Nahlah Ayed was invited to moderate the event, Ideas has decided to explore this subject at another time in a different way. Given that decision, Nahlah will no longer be moderating. That said, CBC News may cover the event. Thank you.” When I first saw this story, I reached out to Brett Ruskin in Halifax who would be the logical reporter to cover the event. Andrew Lawton from True North News has already indicated that he will be reporting on the event. Reading between the lines, perhaps CBC has decided to distance itself from appearing to be to cozy with Khadr.***

***Update – VoteWexit, The Post Millennial, & True North News are running with this story now. If you feel that Dalhousie University should not be hosting Omar Khadr then True North News has a petition to sign here. National Post & the Postmedia papers have now picked up the article.***

After doing some digging, this is not the first time Omar Khadr has addressed a university crowd with his story. King’s University in Edmonton was graced with his presence back in 2016 when he gave a talk on his experience. The report on the event pushed the narrative that Khadr didn’t throw the grenade that killed Sgt Speers. It was inevitable that King’s University would host the convicted terrorist as members of the university fought hard to have the man released and brought back to Canada.

If there was one face which epitomized the depravity of the present Liberal government headed by Justin Trudeau, it would be that of the smiling Omar Khadr upon receiving his $10.5 million non-contested payout.

Canadians across the country reacted with shock and revulsion when the news of the settlement was announced. The wife of the US Special Forces soldier who was killed by Khadr’s hand grenade is still pursuing a civil lawsuit against the man. The US has him listed as a convicted terrorist.

But up here in Canada, Khadr has become a darling and is starting on the talking circuit aided in part by the CBC. I was filled with crushing disappointment when I saw Khadr’s name listed as a keynote speaker for an upcoming event on February 10 at the Dalhousie University in Halifax. The event is being put on by the Children’s Rights Upfront organization (a group associated with the Dalhousie University) with the proceeds going to the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative. Ret’d LGen Dallaire will be making an appearance. The event will be moderated by CBC reporter Nahlah Ayed.

CBC has already hosted Khadr on the talk show Tout le Monde en Parle. The show garnered criticism for having Khadr and Twitter briefly suspended the show’s account for being a ‘terror apologist’.

News of the proposed event and one of its keynote speakers has already sparked visceral, negative reaction from social media users. People on VoteWexit.com are venting their anger by the hundreds. After about five hours, the admins of the site took the Dalhousie University link down. Too many people were conflating the Wexit site with supporting Khadr and the tone of many of the comments were heated and inflammatory.

On a personal note, I have met Ret’d LGen Dallaire on several occasion through the years and I am disappointed that he would allow one of his causes to be caught up with lending support to this terrorist. I feel that this will result in a stain on Dallaire’s reputation and organizations related to raising awareness of child soldiers being used in warfare.

Sure, Khadr was a child soldier. But no, he should not be given any sort of platform that legitimizes his actions.

Not in my Canada!

Blair’s LinkedIn Profile

Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.

Poster courtesy of Dalhousie University’s Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative

RUSI (NS) Hosts VTECS Presentation

Continuing their program of hosting distinguished speakers, the Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia {RUSI (NS)} had the privilege to hear an enlightening presentation, “VTECS: An Opportunity for Professional Renewal” from Captain(Navy) Ken Hoffer, CD, RCN (Ret’d) on February 8, 2017 at the Royal Artillery Park Officers Mess. He was accompanied by Joëlle Badman and Josh Boyter of Dalhousie University’s Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative. The event was well attended and included the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable John James Grant, members of the Halifax Regional Police, RUSI (NS) members and guests.

Veteran Trainers to Eradicate the Use of Child Soldiers – RUSI(NS)

Capt(N) Hoffer gave a thorough description of the issue of world child soldierly and the methods the Veteran Trainers to Eradicate the use of Child Soldiers (VTECS) program is using to combat the problem. Ms. Badman and Mr. Boyter were present to help promote the recruiting campaign for the second upcoming training session of the Wounded Warriors Canada funded program. RUSI (NS) and attending guests were asked to help put out the call for veterans who they thought would be interested in participating in the program.

As laid out in the presentation, the concept and use of underage children by military forces is not new and has not been limited to ‘the bad guys’. As Capt(N) Hoffer explained, anyone under the age of 18, used for any number of military related purposes can be classified as a child soldier. The iconic image of a young boy carrying an AK 47 is not their only use. In fact, most young boys and girls are more valuable at first as porters, spies, lookouts, human shields, general labour, guards, bush wives, etc. After a grooming period, the children can ‘graduate’ into useful front line combat troops. In many long term conflict zones of the world, this practice has become normalized and they have become a new type of ‘weapons system’. This ‘weapons system’ is particularly effective against Western military forces and presents unique challenges.

Western militaries face lose-lose scenarios when put up against a combative force of children. First situation: the average Canadian soldier is going to hesitate before taking out a kid. It is hard enough to kill an adult let alone a child that might remind you of your son or daughter back home. There are multitudes of studies detailing Western military forces staying their trigger fingers in WWII and Vietnam. The clear advantage goes to a child who has been brought up in a continuous environment of violence where life is cheap and the enemy has been de-humanized. During the presentation, we saw a picture of a four year old whose ISIS masters used to execute a prisoner. The child will not hesitate. Also, just because a person is young, does not mean they are not effective, capable and fierce warriors. Security forces should not make the mistake of underestimating children’s abilities. Years ago, I met a man who used his Texan uncle to lie about his age in order to join the US Air Force in WWII. At the age of 16, he was flying B-17 bombers over Nazi Germany. Young boys and girls can be particularly lethal and will use their youthful fearlessness to their advantage.

Second choice: the Western soldier kills the child soldier. The soldier might have saved themselves and their squad mates but they will have to live with the fact that they killed a kid. In addition, media coverage or opposition video propaganda will not be kind no matter the tactical circumstances. Support from the home front will dwindle and turn on a single Twitter video post. Lose-lose all around.

Coming back to that soldier who did pull the trigger, as Capt(N) Hoffer emphasized, seeing and doing acts in these failed state regions can result in severe psychological trauma. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become generally recognized by the public, politicians and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as an injury suffered by military members. Visible public efforts of people such as General Dallaire and Wounded Warriors Canada members have shone a spotlight on the issue. Associated treatment programs are now more available. Unfortunately, psychological matters affecting our soldiers can be complex. As Capt(N) Hoffer explained, in the context of child soldiers, there is another psychological injury soldiers can suffer called Moral Injury. Moral injury has been defined as an injury to an individual’s moral conscience resulting from an act of perceived moral transgression which produces profound emotional shame. The concept of moral injury emphasizes the psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of trauma. As an example, a few days after helping beat a Somali teen to death, MCpl Clayton Matchee attempted suicide. I would hazard a guess that guilt and shame of his actions played into his decision to hang himself. The CAF and Canadians should be prepared to deal with the myriad of mental issues facing our military members if they are to be sent against children.

After the presentation, the Q & A session brought up a few interesting points. It was identified that the CAF does conduct mission specific briefings to units before they deploy to areas with the likelihood of child soldiers. Rules of Engagement (ROEs) have been established to give the soldier on the ground some guidance. The impression was the military needs to go further with their education and training in this field and they need to give the matter more attention than a few cursory PowerPoint lectures. In addition, the concept of Moral Injury has to be recognized and emphasized. It cannot just be lumped in with PTSD. Another point brought forward was to expand the VTECS program to police organizations. Capt(N) Hoffer had described some of the successful program work he had done overseas and mentioned that they were working quite often with local police forces. The aim was to educate the ‘cops on the beat’ to recognize the signs of youth at risk. If you can break the incentive of a child being drawn into the orbit of a militaristic organization, then that is one less soldier. It is a simple concept, just give the at-risk child a viable alternative and try to point them in a better direction. As he explained, Canadian police do the same thing as gangs in this country are not above using children for nefarious purposes. Unfortunately, for now because of the limited funding and mandate through Wounded Veterans Canada, the VTECS program is limited to veterans. It was agreed that more CAF education and eventually including former police officers as VTECS trainers would be logical and worthwhile.

Capt(N) Hoffer’s talk illuminated the urgent need for a coordinated, reasoned strategy regarding the issue of child soldiers. The CAF needs solid ROEs and education for their members before deployment. Parliamentary politicians need to seriously debate whether we should be sending our forces to quagmires such as the rumored mission to Mali. Like many failed states being considered for a Canadian military engagement, Mali is a witch’s brew of multiple government and non-government actors, generational warfare with several major uprisings, widespread use of child soldiers, crushing poverty, class and religious struggle. Just from the perspective of using child soldiers, the opposition will use asymmetric means to break the will of Western countries involving themselves where they are not wanted. One videotaped incident of a supposed ‘atrocity’ against an ‘innocent’ child and Western public stomach for the mission will evaporate. One severe slip of discipline and leadership while struggling with rampant thievery from their compound helped result in the disbanding of the Canadian Airborne Unit. In the era of ‘Fake News’, hostile social media does not even have to be truthful and the damage will be done. Canada would have another national military stain.

So, does Canada send our forces to a place where they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t? Politicians and the Chief of Defence Staff might have to seriously ask the question of whether to engage in the first place. Sure we can help and Canadian military members do great work in these places but how long are we planning to stay? We kept a large contingent of Canadians in Cyprus for three decades and still have members stationed there and that country is not in the clear yet. These operations need to be viewed as multi-generational otherwise the blood and gold spent on them will be wasted. Twelve billion dollars CAD spent on Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014 and what did it get us? According to reports, just a slide back to the bad old Taliban days. Organizations like the Taliban, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda view their conflicts as multi-generational. That is why they continue to develop their young as weapon systems.

As Canadians, we want to do the right thing. The VTECS program seems to be a positive step towards breaking the use of children in war. Educating security forces here and abroad about the practice and how to effectively combat, prevent and eradicate it will take time. Just educating the ‘good guys’ on how to do no harm is a start. Capt(N) Hoffer remarked that one of his African students asked if he wasn’t allowed a ‘girlfriend’ during a peace keeping mission. From personal experience, I know many CAF members who still practice the habit of ‘travel to new places and have sex’. Stressed men and women from all militaries and security forces need firm discipline and strong leadership on difficult missions. Trust from the local population is a crucial first step when trying to resurrect a failed state.

Capt(N) Hoffer closed his presentation with a personal anecdote from when he was the Executive Officer of HMCS Protecteur. Canada had sent a large military contingent to participate in humanitarian efforts in East Timor in 1999. While leading a shore party, at a particularly grisly site, he overheard one of the ship’s company remark, ‘Why do we have to see this?’ Fair question. Many places of the world are rife with ugliness and human misery. Combatants will deliberately use their child ‘weapon systems’. But it is generally conceded that the Western world including Canada has a duty to refrain from turning our backs on these pits of despair. Through education and preparation, our forces need to be ready for the specific trials they will face. The unique challenge of combating the child soldier will be difficult. In addition, Canada must be prepared to adequately help Canadians returning from these missions in need of complex psychological treatment.

The immoral use of children for military purposes flourishes in too many failed areas of the modern world. There are severe ramifications not only to the lost youth of these regions but to the security forces used to fight them. But through the VTECS program, eloquent veterans like Capt(N) Hoffer are successfully advocating for better understanding, mitigation and eradication of this complex issue.

More information on the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative and Dalhousie University’s VTECS program can be found at the following link:

http://www.childsoldiers.org/

Blair’s Profile

Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.

Tag: Child Soldiers

NOT A FAN OF OMAR KHADR

Legitimizing a convicted terrorist

LECTURER