Forcible recruitment of children to be "fighters" in the LTTE organization will always be an agonizing experience to parents, relatives, friends and children. Forcible recruitment of children is a part of LTTE culture and is condemned by all nations. Yet, despite child conscription is a crime against society, many International agencies including humanitarian agencies and individuals continue to support the LTTE on invented humanitarian considerations. Can any crime against society be greater than child conscription?
Forcible child recruitment some as young as 6 or 7 years up and others less than 18 killed in action do not convey the sentiments they should. The LTTE child soldiers have also been indoctrinated in the 'schools' of hate rather than in schools established for future members of a society. Many end up as 'suicide bombers'.
Children deprived of youth deprives society of useful members. Many letters written by child combatants reveal their eagerness to live in society and lead purposeful lives. It is evident from these writings that they regret that life has been snatched away from them while at the same time indicating their awareness that the families of their 'leaders' enjoy abroad. This is the tragedy of their lives which they find impossible to reconcile.
Their emotional letters reveal that live in hope longing to rejoin their families. They share their concern for their loved ones:" I will escape and find my way across the Forward Defense Lines" says one child solder who has smuggled a letter home. "... Please Amma take care of my little brother ... Tell him I'll be back" says another. " I look at the photograph I managed to bring with me here" was the only item found with a child soldier killed in an offensive. A letter written in haste addressed to each member of the family stated :" I'm fine, God Bless You , I will come back home free”.
The letters and notes often written on whatever paper was available are reminders of LTTE brutality of forcing children to die for a 'cause' they know they cannot achieve.
