contemporary human rights issues

Question 1

what are child soldiers?

Answer 1

child soldiers are children enlisted for participation in military operations and campaigns throughout history, in several cultures

Question 2

what countries have the most child soldiers?

Answer 2

the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Syria and Yemen hold the highest numbers of child soldiers today, being used as fighters, but also as informants, looters, messengers and domestic and sexual slaves

Question 3

what legal responses to the contemporary issue of child soldiers exist?

Answer 3

legal responses to child soldiers include the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the UN Security Court resolutions, and national laws and policies

Question 4

what non-legal responses to the contemporary issue of child soldiers exist?

Answer 4

non-legal responses to child soldiers include prevention programs, reintegration and rehabilitation programs, advocacy and awareness-raising, and peace-building initiatives