UPSC Notes-Children and Armed Conflict

The term “Children and Armed Conflict” refers to the impact of war and violence on children, including their recruitment and use as soldiers, killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, and attacks on schools and hospitals.

Historical Context:

1. Global Awareness:
   • 1990s Emergence: The issue gained global prominence in the 1990s with increasing awareness of the widespread use of child soldiers in conflicts such as those in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Uganda.
   • UN Involvement: The United Nations (UN) began to address the issue more systematically, leading to various initiatives and resolutions.
2. Key Milestones:
   • 1996 Machel Report: Graça Machel’s report on the impact of armed conflict on children brought significant international attention to the issue.
   • Special Representative: Establishment of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in 1997.

Impact on Children:

1. Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers:
   • Forced Recruitment: Children are forcibly recruited by armed groups and forces to serve as combatants, spies, messengers, or for sexual purposes.
   • Voluntary Recruitment: Some children join armed groups voluntarily, often due to poverty, lack of education, or the need for protection.
2. Killing and Maiming:
   • Direct Violence: Children are often directly targeted or caught in crossfire, leading to death or severe injuries.
   • Landmines and Explosive Devices: Presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance pose long-term risks to children in conflict zones.
3. Sexual Violence:
   • Widespread Abuse: Sexual violence, including rape, is used as a tactic of war, affecting both girls and boys.
   • Trauma and Stigma: Survivors of sexual violence face severe psychological trauma and social stigmatization.
4. Abduction:
   • Kidnapping: Armed groups abduct children for recruitment, forced labor, or sexual exploitation.
   • Displacement: Abduction often leads to the displacement of children and separation from their families.
5. Attacks on Schools and Hospitals:
   • Targeted Attacks: Schools and hospitals are targeted or used for military purposes, disrupting education and healthcare services.
   • Long-Term Consequences: Destruction of educational and health infrastructure has long-term detrimental effects on child development.

International Legal Framework:

1. United Nations Conventions:
   • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): The CRC, adopted in 1989, sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. The Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (2000) specifically addresses the recruitment and use of children in hostilities.
   • Geneva Conventions: The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols provide legal protections for children in armed conflict.
2. Security Council Resolutions:
   • Resolution 1261 (1999): First UN Security Council resolution to address the impact of armed conflict on children.
   • Subsequent Resolutions: Numerous resolutions, including Resolutions 1379 (2001), 1612 (2005), and 1882 (2009), have built a comprehensive framework for monitoring, reporting, and taking action against violations.
3. International Criminal Court (ICC):
   • Rome Statute: The ICC’s Rome Statute identifies the recruitment and use of children under 15 in hostilities as a war crime.

Mechanisms and Initiatives:

1. Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM):
   • Security Council Mechanism: Established under Resolution 1612 (2005) to systematically monitor and report on grave violations against children in armed conflict.
   • Country Task Forces: Comprised of UN agencies and partners, these task forces operate in conflict-affected countries to gather and verify data.
2. Children, Not Soldiers Campaign:
   • UNICEF and SRSG Initiative: Launched in 2014 by UNICEF and the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict to end the recruitment and use of children by national security forces by 2020.
   • Progress and Challenges: Significant progress has been made, but challenges remain in ensuring full compliance by all parties.
3. Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programs:
   • Demobilization: Programs aimed at demobilizing child soldiers and providing them with education, vocational training, and psychosocial support.
   • Community-Based Approaches: Emphasizes the importance of community involvement in reintegration to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Challenges and Issues:

1. Continued Recruitment:
   • Non-State Actors: Many armed non-state actors continue to recruit and use children despite international efforts and legal frameworks.
   • Fragile States: Weak governance and ongoing conflicts in certain regions make it difficult to enforce laws and protect children.
2. Reintegration Difficulties:
   • Psychological Trauma: Children who have experienced violence and exploitation often suffer from severe psychological trauma that requires long-term care.
   • Stigma and Discrimination: Former child soldiers and survivors of sexual violence may face stigma and discrimination within their communities.
3. Resource Constraints:
   • Funding: Limited funding for child protection programs hampers the ability to provide comprehensive services.
   • Coordination: Effective coordination among various international, national, and local actors is necessary but often challenging.

Recent Developments:

1. Global Initiatives:
   • Global Coalition: Formation of global coalitions and networks to advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict.
   • Enhanced Monitoring: Improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms to provide more accurate data on violations and needs.
2. Technological Advancements:
   • Digital Tools: Use of digital tools and technology for data collection, monitoring, and awareness-raising efforts.
   • Social Media: Leveraging social media platforms to highlight issues and mobilize global support for child protection initiatives.
3. Policy and Advocacy:
   • National Action Plans: Development and implementation of national action plans by various countries to address and prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
   • Advocacy Campaigns: Increased advocacy and awareness campaigns to draw global attention to the plight of children in conflict zones.

Future Prospects:

1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
   • Ratification and Implementation: Encouraging more countries to ratify international treaties and ensuring effective implementation at the national level.
   • Accountability Mechanisms: Strengthening accountability mechanisms to hold perpetrators of violations against children accountable.
2. Comprehensive Protection Programs:
   • Holistic Approach: Adopting a holistic approach to child protection that includes prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
   • Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: Enhancing collaboration across sectors, including education, health, and social services, to provide comprehensive support to affected children.
3. Sustainable Funding:
   • Increased Investment: Securing sustainable funding to support long-term child protection and reintegration programs.
   • Public-Private Partnerships: Leveraging public-private partnerships to mobilize resources and expertise.