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ADDRESSING PROTECTION ISSUES
PREVENTION OF THE RECRUITMENT
AND USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS
“The Vancouver Principles on Pe- there are a number of tactical and 2.Recruitment and use of children
acekeeping and the Prevention strategic incentives for armed for- as soldiers;
of the Recruitment and Use of ces and groups to recruit and use 3. Sexual violence against chil-
Child Soldiers.” children and youth: they are su- dren;
sceptible to manipulation, able to 4. Abduction of children;
By Dr. Shelly Whitman
pass through communities unde- 5. Attacks against schools or ho-
tected, low cost, able to fill ranks spitals;
Today there are an estimated quickly, and opposing forces often 6. Denial of humanitarian access
250 million children and youth hesitate to react, under react or for children.
who live in conflict-affected over react, to child soldiers, whi- Of these six grave violations, the
countries, many of whom need ch in turn provides a tactical ad- recruitment and use of children as
urgent protection. This is hei- vantage to the opposing forces. soldiers can act as a linch pin in
ghtened by the changing nature The United Nations Security further conflict prevention efforts.
of war. If in the past children were Council Resolution 1612 (2005) This violation substantially increa-
involved in conflict despite their highlights Six Grave Violations ses a child’s risk of the other grave
age, they are now being recruited against children in armed conflict: violations creating a situation of
because of their age. Tragically, 1. Killing and maiming of children; double jeopardy. Effective preven-
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