GLOSSARY
Children in armed conflicts
CRC Article = 38
Note:
Article 38 of the CRC accords special rights to children in armed conflicts. Children become caught up in armed conflicts either as civilians or as participants. International humanitarian law divides armed conflicts into international armed conflicts and non-international armed conflicts. International armed conflicts include "armed conflicts in which peoples are fighting against colonial domination and alien occupation and against racist regimes in the exercise of their right of self-determination" (Geneva Protocol No. 1 Additional to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (1977)). Non-international armed conflicts are those "which take place in the territory of a [State] between its armed forces and dissident armed forces or other organized armed groups which, under responsible command, exercise such control over a part of its territory as to enable them to carry out sustained and concerted military operations" (Geneva Protocol No. 2 Additional to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (1977)). They do not include "situations of internal disturbances and tensions, such as riots, isolated and sporadic acts of violence and other acts of a similar nature" (Geneva Protocol No. 2 Additional to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (1977)).
See also:
Child prisoners of war Humanitarian assistance International humanitarian law Participation in hostilities Recovery and reintegration Recruitment