Abolish the use of child soldiers- Northern Uganda http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/ We the undersigned,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ask you to adress the issue of the Lord Resistance Army's use of child soldiers. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda has been fighting against the government of Uganda for more than 20 years. This war has caused a humanitarian disaster, and has uprooted approximately 80% of northern Uganda's people. Leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony, has built his army by violently abducting and forcefully enlisting children. It is estimated that nearly 25,000 children have been kidnapped by the LRA and have been forced to become labourers, frontline soldiers and, in the case of girls, sexual slaves.<br /><p>The use of child soldiers is universally condemned, but theses practices still continue in Uganda and many other countries. Such practices should cease immediately and recruited children should be released into safety. </p><p>We have an obligation to these children who have had their childhood stolen, and are being forced to be part of the hostilities between the Ugandan government and Lord's Resistance Army.</p><br /><p>Leadership from Australia can help to bring peace to this troubled region, and&nbsp;we ask respectfully that you:<br />-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dedicate Australian funds to target basic health, education and infrastructure needs, so that displaced communities can return home</p><p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Assist the government of Uganda in peace talks with the Lord's Resistance Army</p><p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Help implement final peace talks</p><p><br />Thank-you for taking the time to read this petition.</p><p>&nbsp;Sincerly,</p><p>The Petition Signers</p> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:1:05 CDT en-us 3 Lindsay712 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig4943016 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Michaela Reichl http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig4519728 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Louise http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig4052914 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Phoebe http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig4026312 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Shaadeh http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig3990449 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Kathryn http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig3990230 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Elliott http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig3989427 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. Ella http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig3989009 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition, even though I am not from Australia maisie-h http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/childsoldiersuganda/#sig3988942 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition.