4 The Protection of Children

Subject(s):

Children, rights — Armed conflict — Conduct of hostilities

This chapter expounds on the protection of children under the two 1977 Additional Protocols and their provisions reflected in customary law. It starts with the international humanitarian law’s (IHL) prohibition of recruiting children under the age of 15 into armed forces and hostilities. According to the Additional Protocol II of 1977, children affected by armed conflict must be provided with the care and aid they require. Parents or guardians must also take measures of removing their children temporarily from the area of hostilities. The chapter considers armed conflict as a cause of disability and the context for further abuse and neglect. It also includes the considerations of the prohibition on the imposition of the death penalty for acts committed while the person in question is under 18 years old.