Objectives

  The objective of the Optional Protocol is to limit the use of children in armed conflict. It particularly aims to raise the minimum age for recruitment and actual participation in hostilities to 18.

Key Provisions

  This Protocol prohibits governments and other groups from recruiting people under 18 years of age. It requires that countries

• raise the minimum recruiting age above the age set by the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• do everything possible to keep people under the age of 18 from direct participation in hostilities
• take precautions against the voluntary recruitment of people under the age of 18
• report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on their compliance with the provisions of the Convention and the Protocol