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 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 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 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,
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 the present 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 the present Protocol owing to their economic or social status or gender,
1