What does international law say about child soldiers?
Human rights law declares 18 as the minimum legal age for recruitment and use of children in hostilities. Recruiting and using children under the age of 15 as soldiers is prohibited under international humanitarian law – treaty and custom – and is defined as a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
What are the main consequences of armed conflicts for children?
The effects of armed conflict on children are both direct and indirect. Direct effects take the form of physical injury, developmental delay, disability, mental and behavioral health sequelae, and death.
How are child soldiers used in conflict?
Thousands of children are serving as soldiers in armed conflicts around the world. These boys and girls, some as young as 8 years old, serve in government forces and armed opposition groups. They may fight on the front lines, participate in suicide missions, and act as spies, messengers, or lookouts.
How many children are in armed conflict?
The number of children living in conflict zones has been increasing since 2000. In 2019, 1.6 billion children (69%) were living in a conflict-affected country. Approximately 426 million children (over one in six) were living in a conflict zone in 2019. This constitutes a 2% increase from 2018.
Why should child soldiers not be prosecuted?
Child soldiers are victims of armed conflict. They should not be subject to prosecution for crimes committed under duress or fear of death.
What human rights are being violated with child soldiers?
“Child victims who have been forced or lured into armed groups suffer a broad range of human rights violations and abuses, including their right to life, right to not be subjected to sexual violence or other forms of torture, right to education and right to freedom of thought conscience and religion,” said Saeed Mokbil …
What is children in situation of armed conflict and what are their rights?
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recalled that provisions essential for the realization of the rights of children affected by armed conflict include the protection of children within the family environment; the provision of essential care and assistance; access to food, healthcare, and education; …
How does conflict affect a child’s development?
Frequent, intense and poorly resolved conflict between parents can place children at risk of mental health issues, and behavioural, social and academic problems. put children at more risk of: having problems with school and learning. negative peer relationships.
What conflicts have used child soldiers?
The UN has identified 14 countries where children have been widely used as soldiers. These countries are Afghanistan, Colombia, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Why child soldiers should not be prosecuted?
Child soldiers are victims of armed conflict. They should not be subject to prosecution for crimes committed under duress or fear of death. The truth, however, is that even placing these child soldiers on trial would be punishment and that accountability properly lies with those who recruited them.
What is the children and armed conflict?
Children and armed conflict is at the centre of the UN Security Council’s peace and security agenda. On several occasions, the Council has imposed sanctions against persistent violators recruiting, sexually abusing, maiming and killing children and youth in wars.
Can child soldiers be prosecuted?
There’s no doubt that some children have committed terrible crimes during armed conflict. If so, they can be prosecuted under international law, taking their age into account and adhering to international standards. The recruitment of children by armed groups is always illegal.