Child protection in peacekeeping operations

• Autores: Rocío Alamillos Sánchez, Laura García Martín
• Localización: Peacekeeping: global perspectives, challenges and impacts / coord. por Pablo Antonio Fernández Sánchez, 2018, ISBN 9781536134315, págs. 537-563
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Armed conflicts disproportionately affect children. Abductions, military recruitment, killing and maiming are some of the main forms of exploitation to which they are subjected. In many conflict affected areas, peacekeeping operations are the largest actors on the ground, therefore their contribution is vital to protecting children. Consequently, the protection of children affected by armed conflict (CAAC) constitutes a priority issue in UN and EU peacekeeping missions and operations.

    Within the UN, a number of initiatives such as the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG), and a number of UN Security Council Resolutions and policies applicable to peacekeeping operations seek to contribute to the implementation of the international legal framework and to develop or strengthen mechanisms for the protection of children affected by armed conflict.

    The EU also adopted specific guidelines on children in armed conflict in 2003 and revised in 2008, addressing the children's main needs in armed conflict while also addressing impunity of the crimes committed against them. A list of priority countries has been identified, which is in line with that of the UN Secretary General. Child protection is also addressed in the framework applicable to EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations, including the adoption of a Checklist for its effective integration in their mandates. However, the EU does not have an actual mission or operation that is explicitly dedicated to this purpose.

    This article aims to explore the main policy and legal developments related to child protection in the UN and EU peacekeeping missions and operations and to provide an overall assessment of the coherence and consistency of their approach to children's rights affected by armed conflicts while analysing possible synergies between both organisations.