Reintegration of Male Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone after the Civil War of 1991-2002

This book is aimed at analysing the reintegration of male child soldiers in Sierra Leone using universalism of children's right and cultural relativism. The two perspectives present two different scenarios which have different approaches at the level of implementation. The book will examine and analyse the effects of war on male child soldiers either as victims or as independent actors; their experiences, protection, reconciliation and reintegration into community life from a child's rights perspective. It will therefore contribute to policy implementation in the field. The analysis is done using universalism and cultural relativism. Universalism of children's right believed that the reintegration of child soldiers into society is a human rights or child's rights requirement without holding them liable for their acts (innocent victims). On the other hand cultural relativism holds the view of a more cultural understanding of child soldiers; and wishes that ex-child soldiers who committed crimes against the community should not be reintegrated and should be punished (agency).