Objectives

The objective of the Optional Protocol is to seek limits on the use of children in armed conflict and, particularly, to raise the minimum age limit for recruitment and to limit the actual participation of persons under 18 years in hostilities.

Key Provisions

The Optional Protocol prohibits the recruitment of individuals under eighteen years of age by non-State actors. It imposes an obligation upon States to raise the minimum age of recruitment above the age set by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

It also establishes an obligation upon States to take all feasible measures to prevent the direct participation in hostilities by individuals under the age of 18. 

It further requires States to establish safeguards relative to the voluntary recruitment of individuals under the age of 18.

Finally, the Optional Protocol sets forth an obligation upon States to report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on its implementation.

  TEXT:   English    French

   Rectifications: C.N.1031.2000.TREATIES-82 of 14 November 2000 [rectification of the original of the Protocol (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish authentic texts)]; C.N.592.2001.TREATIES-7 of 15 June 2001 [proposal of correction to the original of the Protocol (Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish authentic texts)].
 

Open for signature (indefinitely) by any State that is a party to the Convention or has signed it. Subject to ratification. Open for accession by any State

Entry into force: Not yet in force (the Optional Protocol will enter into force three months after the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in accordance with its article 10)

Status as at 15 June 2001: Signatories: 80    Contracting Parties: 4