International humanitarian law clearly states that children's rights must be respected during armed conflict. However, this does not always prevent children being affected by violence in various ways. In this interview, the ICRC's child protection adviser, Kristin Barstad, describes the ICRC's approach to the issue.

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.

Second International Policy Conference on the African Child: Violence Against Girls in Africa, Addis Ababa, 11-12 May 2006. Report by Florence Tercier Holst-Roness, Women and War Adviser for the ICRC.

The kit describes those activities carried out by the ICRC to restore family links, provide care and protect unaccompanied children and child soldiers, among others. As both a work tool and a source of information, it covers the legal protection of children in situations of armed conflict and contains a summary of those provisions of international humanitarian law that apply specifically to children.
(All documents in pdf format)

In its Plan of Action for the years 2000-2003, the 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Geneva, 1999) stressed the urgent necessity to strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict. With the following text the ICRC intends to give some information on problems encountered and on action taken.

Displaced families who return to their fields often find their harvests deliberately destroyed, or the fields abandoned and overgrown with weeds. The ICRC is helping returning farmers to recover their fields and increase production with a new variety of cassava plant, as well as providing them with training in planting and maintenance.

In eastern DRC there is a centre that has helped over 1,500 former child soldiers reintegrate with their communities. The ICRC provides material support and plays the crucial role of reconnecting the children with their families. Bernard Barrett reports from Bukavu.

Eldoret showground, in the Rift Valley, is one of many public spaces that have been opened up to receive thousands of people displaced from their homes in Kenya’s post-election violence. The ICRC’s Anne Mucheke reports on what is being done for the children.

The ongoing peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is allowing some fighters to lay down their weapons and begin a peaceful life. The ICRC is helping to demobilize child soldiers so that they can return to their families. Journalist Isabel Coello reports.

"This film is trying to show now that all over the world there should be no child soldiers. I hope that in any country where there is a war, as long as they watch this film they have seen how we the children were destroyed." Tamba, former child soldier.
Tamba and other former child soldiers promote the message that children should not be recruited into armed forces or armed groups, nor take part in hostilities.

This set of comprehensive guidelines outlines a framework and set of principles intended to ensure that the rights and needs of separated children are effectively addressed. Created through close inter-agency collaboration, the guidelines aim to promote and support preparedness, coordination and good practice based on lessons learnt. The document addresses all aspect of an emergency from preventing separations, to family tracing and reunification through to long-term solutions and encourages the pooling of complementary skills and expertise.

This brochure provides detailed information about the problem of child soldiers and outlines what should be done to prevent their recruitment, protect them and help them rebuild their lives after their demobilization. It is an ideal introduction to the provisions of international law that apply specifically to the participation of children in hostilities.

The life, health and dignity of children caught up in armed conflict require particular attention, so that the fighting will not endanger their future. This series of four posters focuses on the protection of children in war, child soldiers, restoring family links and rehabilitation. The posters highlight the specific problems facing children affected by armed conflict and promote respect for the laws that protect them.

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

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

"Adding coulour to peace", International Conference on Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Valencia, November 5 to 7, 2003

Although international humanitarian and human rights law provide special protection to children, too many of them are caught up in armed conflict. Red Cross, Red Crescent examines the problem and features portraits of children from conflict zones in Ethiopia, Russia and Sierra Leone - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2003

Endorsed by the Council of Delegates, Geneva, 1995

Forcibly enrolled into an armed group when she was 10, Marie has experienced everything in life but the joys and sorrows of childhood. After four years marked by violence and ceaseless wanderings in the Ugandan forest, she managed, with the ICRC's help, to return to her home village.

Workshop 2, 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 2 to 6 December 2003

27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 31 October to 6 November 1999

adopted at its session of 29-30 October 1999, Geneva, Switzerland

Annual report. Awareness-raising campaigns and appeals for funds. News. Texts of international instruments regarding child soldiers. Links. Conference calendar.

News. List of partners. General statistics on refugees worldwide. On-line reports. Geographical maps. Entire text of main legal instruments for the protection of refugees (special features on women and children). UNHCR chart.

Information on activities (education, health care, food security, etc.). News and press releases. Annual report on-line. On-line publications. Opportunity to sponsor a child or make a donation on-line.

Information and news by country and subject (weapons, children and war, AIDS, sanitary education, etc.). UNICEF activities. Catalogue of publications. Statistics. Press releases and declarations. Annual reports on-line.