The States Parties to the present Protocol,
Encouraged by the overwhelming support for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, demonstrating the widespread commitment that exists to strive for the promotion
and protection of the rights of the child,
Reaffirming that the rights of children require special protection, and calling for
continuous improvement of the situation of children without distinction, as well as
for their development and education in conditions of peace and security,
Disturbed by the harmful and widespread impact of armed conflict on children and the
long-term consequences this has for durable peace, security and development,
Condemning the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict and direct attacks
on objects protected under international law, including places generally having a
significant presence of children, such as schools and hospitals,
Noting the adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court and, in particular, its inclusion as a war crime of conscripting or enlisting children
under the age of 15 years or using them to participate actively in hostilities in
both international and non-international armed conflicts,
Considering, therefore, that to strengthen further the implementation of rights recognized
in the Convention on the Rights of the Child there is a need to increase the protection of children from involvement in armed
conflict,
Noting that article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child specifies that, for the purposes of that Convention, a child means every human being
below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority
is attained earlier,
Convinced that an optional protocol to the Convention raising the age of possible recruitment of persons into armed forces and their participation
in hostilities will contribute effectively to the implementation of the principle
that the best interests of the child are to be a primary consideration in all actions
concerning children,
Noting that the twenty-sixth international Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
in December 1995 recommended, inter alia, that parties to conflict take every feasible step to ensure that children under
the age of 18 years do not take part in hostilities,
Welcoming the unanimous adoption, in June 1999, of International Labour Organization
Convention No. 182 on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of
the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which prohibits, inter alia, forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict,
Condemning with the gravest concern the recruitment, training and use within and across
national borders of children in hostilities by armed groups distinct from the armed
forces of a State, and recognizing the responsibility of those who recruit, train
and use children in this regard,
Recalling the obligation of each party to an armed conflict to abide by the provisions
of international humanitarian law,
Stressing that this Protocol is without prejudice to the purposes and principles contained
in the Charter of the United Nations, including Article 51, and relevant norms of humanitarian law,
Bearing in mind that conditions of peace and security based on full respect of the
purposes and principles contained in the Charter and observance of applicable human
rights instruments are indispensable for the full protection of children, in particular
during armed conflicts and foreign occupation,
Recognizing the special needs of those children who are particularly vulnerable to
recruitment or use in hostilities contrary to this Protocol owing to their economic
or social status or gender,
Mindful of the necessity of taking into consideration the economic, social and political
root causes of the involvement of children in armed conflicts,
Convinced of the need to strengthen international cooperation in the implementation
of this Protocol, as well as the physical and psychosocial rehabilitation and social
reintegration of children who are victims of armed conflict,
Encouraging the participation of the community and, in particular, children and child
victims in the dissemination of informational and educational programmes concerning
the implementation of the Protocol,