Volume 2173, A-27531
236
[ ENGLISH TEXT — TEXTE ANGLAIS ]
OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE
CHILD ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT
The States Parties to the present Protocol,
Encouraged by the overwhelming support for the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, demonstrating the widespread commitment that exists to strive for the promotion
and protection of the rights of the child,
Reaffirming that the rights of children require special protection, and calling for con-
tinuous improvement of the situation of children without distinction, as well as for their de-
velopment and education in conditions of peace and security,
Disturbed by the harmful and widespread impact of armed conflict on children and the
long-term consequences this has for durable peace, security and development,
Condemning the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict and direct attacks
on objects protected under international law, including places generally having a signifi-
cant presence of children, such as schools and hospitals,
Noting the adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court and, in particu-
lar, its inclusion as a war crime of conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15
years or using them to participate actively in hostilities in both international and non-inter-
national armed conflicts,
Considering, therefore, that to strengthen further the implementation of rights recog-
nized in the Convention on the Rights of the Child there is a need to increase the protection
of children from involvement in armed conflict,
Noting that article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child specifies that, for the
purposes of that Convention, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years
unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier,
Convinced that an optional protocol to the Convention raising the age of possible re-
cruitment of persons into armed forces and their participation in hostilities will contribute
effectively to the implementation of the principle that the best interests of the child are to
be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children,
Noting that the twenty-sixth international Conference of the Red Cross and Red Cres-
cent in December 1995 recommended, inter alia, that parties to conflict take every feasible
step to ensure that children under the age of 18 years do not take part in hostilities,
Welcoming the unanimous adoption, in June 1999, of International Labour Organiza-
tion Convention No. 182 on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of
the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which prohibits, inter alia, forced or compulsory recruit-
ment of children for use in armed conflict,
Condemning with the gravest concern the recruitment, training and use within and
across national borders of children in hostilities by armed groups distinct from the armed
forces of a State, and recognizing the responsibility of those who recruit, train and use chil-
dren in this regard,
