Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of
children
in armed conflict
(New
York, 25 May 2000)
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 18
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.
ENTRY INTO FORCE
The Optional Protocol entered into
force on 12 February 2002.
HOW
TO BECOME A PARTY
The Optional Protocol is open for signature, indefinitely, by any State
that is a Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child or has signed it.
The Optional Protocol is subject to ratification and is open for accession by
any State.
OPTIONAL AND/OR MANDATORY DECLARATIONS
Each State Party shall deposit a binding declaration upon ratification or
accession, which sets forth the minimum age at which the State will permit
voluntary recruitment into its national armed forces and a description of the
safeguards that it has adopted to ensure that such recruitment is not forced or
coerced.
RESERVATIONS
The
Optional Protocol is silent on reservations.
WITHDRAWAL/DENUNCIATION
Denunciation of the Optional Protocol
is possible at any time and it takes effect one year after the date of receipt
of the notification by the Secretary General of the United Nations. If, on the
expiry of that year the denouncing State Party is engaged in armed conflict, the
denunciation does not take effect before the end of the armed conflict.
Denunciation does not have
the effect of releasing the State Party from its obligation under this Optional
Protocol with regard to any act that occurs prior to the date on which the
denunciation becomes effective and it does not prejudice in any way the
continued consideration of any matter that is already under consideration by the
Committee on the Rights of the Child prior to the date on which the denunciation
becomes effective.
Denunciation of the Optional Protocol is possible at any time and it takes effect six months after the receipt of the
notification by the Secretary-General.
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Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on the involvement of children in armed conflict
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