Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict information
2000 United Nations treaty
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
states parties
states that have signed, but not ratified
states that have not signed
Signed
25 May 2000[1]
Location
New York[1]
Effective
12 February 2002[1]
Condition
10 ratifications
Signatories
180[1]
Parties
173[1]
Depositary
UN Secretary-General
Languages
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Full text
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in armed conflict at Wikisource
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The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC), also known as the child soldier treaty, is a multilateral treaty whereby states agree to: 1) prohibit the conscription into the military of children under the age of 18; 2) ensure that military recruits are no younger than 16; and 3) prevent recruits aged 16 or 17 from taking a direct part in hostilities. The treaty also forbids non-state armed groups from recruiting anyone under the age of 18 for any purpose.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the treaty as a supplementary protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by resolution 54/263 on 25 May 2000.[2] The protocol came into force on 12 February 2002. The treaty consists of thirteen articles.
As of January 2023, 173 states are party to the protocol. A further 7 states have signed but not ratified it.[1]
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"Signatories & Dates of Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in armed conflict". UN. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
^United Nations General Assembly Session 54 Resolution263. Optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornographyA/RES/54/263 25 May 2000. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
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Global Information
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in armed conflict at Wikisource