Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child on the involvement
of children in armed conflict
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by
General Assembly resolution A/RES/54/263 of 25 May 2000
entry into force 12 February 2002
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 it 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 that generally have a significant presence of
children, such as schools and hospitals,
Noting the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, in particular, the
inclusion therein 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
conflict,
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 that raises 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 below 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,