Relevant Passages: “A minimum age of 18 years should be established for any person participating in hostilities and for recruitment in all forms into any armed force or armed group.”
“Those persons responsible for illegally recruiting children should be brought to justice.”
“A permanent International Criminal Court should be established with jurisdiction covering, inter alia, the illegal recruitment of children.”
19 Aug. 1997
The secretary general of the UN appoints a special representative for children and armed conflict, Olara Otunnu.
12 Mar. 1998
Report by the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict on the Rights of the Child to the Commission on Human Rights/Council
May 1998
A group of leading international NGOs form
The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.
29 June 1998
The issue of children and armed conflict is, for the first time, formally placed on the agenda of the Security Council, which holds an open debate and issues a President Statement on the issue.
Relevant Passages: “The Security Council strongly condemns the targeting of children in armed conflicts, including their humiliation, brutalization, sexual abuse, abduction and forced displacement, as well as their recruitment and use in hostilities in violation of international law, and calls upon all parties concerned to put an end to such activities.”
“The Security Council calls upon all parties concerned to comply strictly with their obligations under international law, in particular their obligations under the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Additional Protocols of 1977 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989.”
17 July 1998
Rome Statute–statute of the International Criminal
Court (ICC)
The ICC is established not as an organ of the UN but as an independent organization with an independent budget.
Note: The statute does not come into force until 1 July 2002. Relevant Passage: “Conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the national armed forces or using them to participate actively in hostilities [is a war crime].”
12 Oct. 1998
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
9 Dec. 1998
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and
Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
29 Nov. 1999
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
Relevant Passages: “For the purposes of this Charter, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years.”
“States Parties to the present Charter shall take all necessary measures to ensure that no child shall take a direct part in hostilities and refrain, in particular, from recruiting any child.”
17 June 1999
International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour
Relevant Passages: “The term ‘child’ shall apply to all persons under the age of 18.”
“Child soldiering is one of the worst forms of child labour.”
[Note from Human Rights Watch: “In June of 1999, the use of child soldiers was recognized as a child labor issue when the International Labor Conference included a prohibition on the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict in a new convention on the worst forms of child labor. Trade unions and a broad group of governments, including Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Uruguay, and all African states, advocated for a broad prohibition on any participation in armed conflict by children under the age of eighteen. However, the United States, backed by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, mounted an aggressive—and ultimately successful—lobbying campaign for a much narrower prohibition on the ‘forced or compulsory recruitment of children or use in armed conflicts.’”]
7 July 1999
Lomé Peace Accord signed in Sierra Leone (contains specific article on child combatants)
Relevant Passage: “The Government shall accord particular attention to the issue of child soldiers. It shall, accordingly, mobilize resources, both within the country and from the International Community, and especially through the Office of the UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, UNICEF and other agencies, to address the special needs of these children in the existing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes.”
25 Aug. 1999
Resolution 1261 of the Security Council on Children and
Armed Conflict
Relevant Passages: Expresses “grave concern at the harmful and widespread impact of armed conflict on children and the long-term consequences this has for durable peace, security and development.”
“Recognizes the deleterious impact of the proliferation of arms, in particular small arms, on the security of civilians, including refugees and other vulnerable populations, particularly children.”
1 Oct. 1999
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
17 Dec. 1999
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and
Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
Sept. 2000
“From Words to Action”
–final report of The International Conference on
War-Affected Children, Winnipeg
Relevant Passages: “It is necessary to urge the universal ratification of ILO Convention N0.182 and the Optional Protocol to the CRC without reservations, as well as the setting of 18 as a minimum age for all forms of military recruitment.”
“Ensure a blanket amnesty for children involved in armed conflict. Recognize their role as perpetrators of violence through testimony in truth and reconciliation commissions and at community level but do not criminalize them.”
“Governments must work to eradicate the supply and use of small arms, light weapons, grenades, and ammunition in conflict areas where crimes against humanity, obvious in most cases through the abuse of children, are prevalent.”
“Special emphasis needs to be placed on the demobilization and reintegration of girl soldiers.”
“The production and purchase of arms toys for children should be stopped in order to build a culture of peace (the manufacturers of these toys of destruction should be targeted).”
9 Feb. 2000
Report by the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict on the Rights of the Child to the Commission on Human Rights/Council
23 Mar. 2000
African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European
Community Joint Assembly adopt resolution against the use of child soldiers
25 May 2000
General Assembly adopts the Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
Note: The optional protocol does not come into force until 12 Feb. 2002.
Relevant Passage: “Ensure that children below the age of 18 years do not take part in hostilities.”
19 July 2000
First report of the secretary general to the Security
Council of the United Nations on Children and Armed Conflict
11 Aug. 2000
Resolution 1314 by the Security Council on Children and
Armed Conflict
Relevant Passage: “Notes that the deliberate targeting of civilian populations or other protected persons, including children, and the committing of systematic, flagrant and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including that relating to children, in situations of armed conflic
t may constitute a threat to international peace and security, and in this regard reaffirms its readiness to consider such situations and, where necessary to adopt appropriate steps.”
3 Oct. 2000
Protection of children affected by armed conflict:
Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
4 Dec. 2000
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and
Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
26 Jan. 2001
Special Session of the General Assembly for follow-up to the World Summit for Children–“The Machel Review 1996–2000: A Critical Analysis of Progress Made and Obstacles Encountered in Increasing Protection for War-Affected Children”
Relevant Passages: “In spite of landmark progress, the recruitment of child soldiers continues. And there is even the chilling possibility that in recent conflicts children have been recruited much more deliberately, not just due to their availability and relative cheapness, but because they are more easily indoctrinated into violence and thus more willing than adults to carry out atrocities.”
“The Security Council must lead the international community with speed to embrace the recommendations in this review and to prevail against impunity for crimes committed against children. Children’s protection should not have to be negotiated. Those who wage, legitimise and support wars must be condemned and held to account. Children must be cherished, nurtured and spared the pernicious effects of war. Children can’t afford to wait.”
7 Sept. 2001
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed
Conflict to the Security Council of the United Nations
9 Oct. 2001
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
20 Nov. 2001
Resolution 1379 by the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
Relevant Passage: “Requests the Secretary-General to attach to his report a list of parties to armed conflict that recruit or use children in violation of the international obligations applicable to them.”
19 Dec. 2001
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and
Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
16 Jan. 2002
Establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Mandate: “To try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996.” See 20 June 2007: First international conviction on charges related to child soldiers.
7 Feb. 2002
Report by the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict on the Rights of the Child to the Commission on Human Rights/Council
7 May 2002
Statement by the president of the Security Council on
Children and Armed Conflict
8–10 May 2002
UN Special Session on Children.
Outcome document: “A World Fit for Children”
Relevant Passages: “Children must be protected from the horrors of armed conflict.”
“End the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict contrary to international law, ensure their demobilization and effective disarmament and implement effective measures for their rehabilitation, physical and psychological recovery and reintegration into society.”
“Provide appropriate training and education in children’s rights and protection as well as in international humanitarian law to all civilian, military and police personnel involved in peacekeeping operations.”
“Curb the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons and protect children from landmines, unexploded ordnance and other war materiel that victimize them, and provide assistance to victimized children during and after armed conflict.”
24 Sept. 2002
Protection of children affected by armed conflict:
Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
26 Nov. 2002
Report of the secretary general on Children and
Armed Conflict to the Security Council of the United Nations
2003
Publication: “A Guide to the Optional Protocol on the
Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict”
Note: Essential reading for all young people.
2003
Publication: “Children and Armed Conflict: International
Standards for Action” (The Human Security Network,
UN special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict)
30 Jan. 2003
Resolution 1460 by the Security Council on Children and
Armed Conflict
Relevant Passage: “Noting the fact that the conscription or enlistment of children under the age of 15 or using them to participate actively in hostilities in both international and non-international armed conflict is classified as a war crime by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
19 Feb. 2003
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and
Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
3 Mar. 2003
Report by the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict on the Rights of the Child to the Commission on Human Rights/Council
7 Mar. 2003
The Special Court for Sierra Leone charges former president of Liberia Charles Taylor with recruiting child soldiers, among other crimes
Relevant Passage: This is the first former head of state to be indicted for war crimes.
25 June 2003
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Relevant Passage: “National and international mechanisms and programmes should be strengthened for the defense and protection of children, in particular … children in armed conflict.”
29 Aug. 2003
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
10 Nov. 2003
Report of the secretary general on Children and Armed Conflict to the Security Council of the United Nations
9 Mar. 2004
Resolution by the General Assembly on Children and Armed Conflict and the Rights of the Child
22 Apr. 2004
Resolution 1539 by the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
Relevant Passages: Requests the Secretary-General to “urgently devise an action plan for a systematic and comprehensive monitoring and reporting mechanism that would create a process for providing timely, objective, accurate and reliable information on the recruitment and use of child soldiers and other violations committed against children affected by armed conflict.”
“Deeply concerned over the lack of overall progress on the ground, where parties to conflict continue to violate with impunity the relevant provisions of applicable international law relating to the rights and protection of children in armed conflict.”
“Strongly condemns the recruitment and use of child soldiers by parties to armed conflict.”
“Takes note with deep concern of the continued recruitment and use of children by parties mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report in situations of armed conflict which are on its agenda, in violation of applicable international law relating to the rights and protection of children and, in this regard: (a) Calls upon these parties to prepare within three months concrete time-bound action plans to halt recruitment and use of children in violation of the international obligations applicable to them, in close collaboration with United Nations peacekeeping missions and United N
ations country teams, consistent with their respective mandates.”
3 June 2004
Trials begin at the Special Court for Sierra Leone Relevant Passage: For the first time, an international court affirms that the recruitment and use of child soldiers is under its jurisdiction and an internationally illegal war crime, rejecting a preliminary motion which claimed that the crime only entailed individual criminal responsibility.
8 Oct. 2004
Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Report of the special representative of the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict to the General Assembly of the United Nations
9 Feb. 2005
Annual Report of the secretary general to the Security Council of the United Nations, including report on Children and Armed Conflict
15 Feb. 2005
Report by the special representative to the secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict on the Rights of the Child to the Commission on Human Rights/Council
23 Feb. 2005
Statement by the president of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict
8 July 2005
The ICC issues a warrant for the arrest of Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, and other commanders of the LRA on charges of war crimes, including the forcible recruitment and use of child soldiers in hostilities.
July 2005
The Security Council establishes The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). Relevant Passages: Examines country reports and negotiates with or takes serious action against those who practise the war crime of child soldier recruitment and employment.
They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children Page 26