International Law Concerning Child Civilians in Armed Conflict

There is a body of international law that aims to minimise the harm inflicted on children as a result of armed conflicts, and yet it is little known, or observed. This book increases awareness and observance of the law, in order to improve the protection of such children.

Each year, many thousands of child civilians are killed, injured, or otherwise physically and psychologically harmed as a result of armed conflicts. There is a considerable body of international law which aims to minimise the harm inflicted on these children, and yet it is little known, or observed. This book is the first major international legal text to focus exclusively on child civilians. It addresses three main questions: (1) what are the precise rules incorporated in the pertinent body of law, and what are its implementation mechanisms? (2) how effective is it (with reference to recent conflicts involving Iraq) in helping to achieve some protection for child civilians? and (3) can it be rendered more effective? The book concludes by proposing a number of strategies to strengthen the impact of the applicable law. As the first detailed analysis of the surprisingly large body of law relevant to the treatment of child civilians, this book is an important contribution to a topical and highly charged human rights issue.