Basic Rights in Crosscutting Themes: Children in Armed Conflict
Republic Act 7610 (RA 7610) defines children as Persons below 18 years of age, or those over but are unable to fully protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of physical or mental disability or condition. In other literature, children are categorized under Most Vulnerable Groups (MVGs) in armed conflict.
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, of its civilian
units or other armed groups, nor be allowed to take part in fighting, or used as guides, couriers or spies. Delivery of basic services such as education, primary health and emergency relief services, shall be kept unhampered.
Children Involved in Armed Conflict
EO 138 forms the Inter-Agency Committee on Children
in Armed Conflict (IAC-CIAC) whose functions include: There are cases where children are directly involved in (The latest draft IRR of EO 138 designated OPAPP as armed conflict. There are numerous instances where committee Vice Chair). they have been killed, wounded or captured. Most of the time, however, they are used in non-combat rolesas Ensure that international instruments such as the couriers, spies, cooks, etc. Most often, they are UN CRC, the Optional Protocol on the Involvement recruited by groups involved in uprisings against the of Children in Armed Conflict and other related state, largely as force multipliers but equally significant human rights treaties are considered in all actions because of their non-prosecution status in the eyes of taken. the law. Formulate guidelines and develop programs for the Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CSAC) handling of children in armed conflict and monitor/ document cases of capture, surrender, arrest, In situations of armed conflict, children comprise the rescue, or recovery by government forces. majority of uninvolved victims. Most visibly they make up the bulk of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Conduct human rights training, advocacy, and evacuation centers. In these centers, they often lack information campaigns and capability building of access to proper health care and facilities for proper LGUs. hygiene. In these situations they also fall prey to sexual abuse. Implement a monitoring, reporting, and response system (MRRS) for grave child rights violations in Away from the makeshift shelters, their schools are situations of armed conflict. often the evacuation centers; hence, their education is disrupted. Displacement, loss of family, and direct OPAPP has been actively involved in most of these encounters with extreme violence often lead to activities. Furthermore, materials being crafted by psychological trauma. Displaced indigenous children OPAPP provide for the protection of rights and the may suffer the loss of ancestral domain and indigenous promotion of interests of children and other MVG in both culture very early in their lives. armed conflict situations and post-conflict as a major factor to be considered conflict-sensitive and peaceLaws Protecting Children promoting (CSPP). RA 7610, Article X, Sec. 22 declares children as Zones As stated in the definition, children are unable to fully of Peace. As such: protect themselves from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. There are bills pending in the legislature Children shall not be the object of attack and shall on children in armed conflict. A primary proposed be entitled to special respect. They shall be provision is to designate children as victims of armed protected from any form of threat, assault, torture, or conflict, regardless of their participation. Hence they, by other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. law and by the norms of humanity, should be treated with respect and dignity. Children shall not be recruited to become members
For comments & suggestions, you may e-mail peace.monitor.opapp@gmail.com