<<previous  | index

Acknowledgments

This report was researched in Liberia in October and November 2003 by Tony Tate, researcher in the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch and from August through November 2003 by Leslie Lefkow, researcher in the Africa Division. The report was written by Tony Tate and edited by Lois Whitman, executive director of the Children’s Rights Division and Jo Becker, advocacy director of the same division. Additional edits and comments were provided by Leslie Lefkow and Corrine Dufka, researcher in the Africa Division. Wilder Tayler, legal and policy director, and Iain Levine, program director, also edited the report. Dana Sommers, associate in the Children’s Rights Division, assisted with production and distribution.

The report would not be possible without the assistance of the many boys and girls who spoke with us about their experiences in the war. We would like to thank them personally here, but doing so may jeopardize their security.

We also wish to thank the many Liberians who assisted us in facilitating our research with child soldiers and providing valuable background on their history and use. Our travel to Tubmanburg would not have been possible without the kind facilitation of LURD officials in Monrovia. Finally, we thank officials in the Ministries of Justice and Education, officers and leaders of UNMIL, members of the diplomatic missions and nongovernmental organizations for meeting with us during our trip.

Human Rights Watch recognizes with appreciation the funding provided by the Oak Foundation and the Independence Foundation, which support our work on children’s rights.