Summary table of provisions of international humanitarian law and other provisions of international law specifically applicable to children in war

Fact sheet describing the obligations of States regarding the national implementation of the norms applicable to this particular aspect of international humanitarian law.

The responsibility under international law of those who recruit children and the responsibility of child soldiers who commit serious violations of the laws of war are both examined in this article, with particular reference to practice and experience in Africa. Specific examples are given of the practice of Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

The focus of attention with regard to “child soldiers” has tended to be on abducted children or those forced or coerced into fighting. When asked, however, many children and young people themselves say that they volunteered.

Position of the International Committee of the Red Cross Geneva, 27 October 1997

United Nations, General Assembly, 62nd session, Third Committee, Item 66 (a) of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 17-19 Octobre 2007

Speech delivered in Paris on 6 February 2007 by Alain Aeschlimann, head of protection activities at the ICRC, on the occasion of the conference "Free Children From War" organized by UNICEF and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

United Nations, General Assembly, 61st session, Third Committee, item 63 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 16 October 2006

59th Annual Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Agenda item 13 - 14 April 2003. Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC delegation in Côte d’Ivoire has taken the original step of asking street children in Abidjan, under the supervision of the Red Cross Society of Côte d’Ivoire, to produce illustrations relating to the basic rules of humanitarian law. The best drawings were published in a calendar.

This video spot conjures up the suffering endured by children in wartime and reminds us about the obligation, under the law, to protect them and respect their rights. The ICRC assists child victims of war and their families.

Paris principles and guidelines on children associated with armed forces or armed groups and Paris commitments to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups.