EU Approach to Children and Armed Conflict

Children affected by armed conflict are among the human rights priorities of the European Union, as stated in the 2012 Strategic Framework and the Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan. The rights of children affected by... [ view full abstract ]

Children affected by armed conflict are among the human rights priorities of the European Union, as stated in the 2012 Strategic Framework and the Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan. The rights of children affected by armed conflict have also been mainstreamed in the new Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan for 2015-2019, adopted in July 2015.

The EU policy on Children and Armed Conflict is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on Children and Armed Conflicts, UN Security Council Resolutions 1612 and 1882, the Paris Principles and Commitments as well as other international and regional human rights instruments.

The EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, adopted in 2003 (and revised 2008), commit the EU to address the impact of armed conflict on children in a comprehensive manner. This is done through diplomatic initiatives, political dialogue, multilateral cooperation and crisis management.

The EU Implementation Strategy of the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, adopted in 2006 (and revised 2010), gives directions on monitoring, reporting, and cooperation with the UN, focusing on prevention and protection, but also rehabilitation and reintegration. Implementation of these Guidelines is targeted on priority countries, which are regularly reviewed in accordance with the UN list of priority countries regarding children and armed conflict.