EXAMINING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK PROHIBITING THE RECRUITMENT OF CHILDREN IN TIMES OF ARMED CONFLICT.

Abstract

Child soldier is not a recent phenomenon. Child soldier remains prevalent despite various laws, treaties and conventions. This research examines the legal framework prohibiting the recruitment and use of child soldier. The international law prohibiting the involvement of children in armed conflict has progressed on paper, but such progress within the states remains behind, thus creating a gap between laws and its enforcement. The international community needs to take steps to bridge this gap so as to ensure that the laws prohibiting and protecting the use of children in conflict setting is adequate and efficient. This research will examine the efficiency of the international legal instruments and examine what factors are preventing the implementation of the international law within the different states. This research adopts the doctrinal approach; and examine the legal structure of child soldier in both the international community and national states. Based on critical examination, the research finds that the key challenges include; lack of political will, poverty and lack of educational opportunities. This research however recommends that the DDR Program (disarmament, demobilization, reintegration) should be effective so as to curb the practice. The international community should give support to ensure the effective running of the DDR program.� This research further recommends that recruiters/commanders should be punished to serve as deterrence and the educational sector should be efficient. Children should be of paramount importance in the society so they should be protected.��

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urn:uuid:93ade521-2590-442a-aca2-c00cd31b8abe