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.

"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 brochure examines the risks faced by children caught up in armed conflict, the steps taken by the ICRC to address their specific needs, and the rules of law defined to protect them.

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

To mark the 20th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions, respectively, the ICRC has issued a new brochure on children and war. ICRC child protection adviser, Kristin Barstad, talks about the plight of children during war and what the organization does to protect and assist them.

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.

United Nations, General Assembly, 64th session, Third Committee, Items 65 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 16 October 2009

Ministerial Side Meeting on Paris Principles and Paris Commitments, United Nations General Assembly, New York, 29 Septembre 2009

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.

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.