INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REGULATION OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

Abstract

Abstract. The problem of child protection in the context of international conflicts is one of the most acute humanitarian problems of our time. Children belong to one of the most vulnerable groups, whose rights are freely violated during armed confrontations, migration crises with all the accompanying destructive circumstances. Armed conflicts cause serious damage to the physical, psychological and social well-being of children, as they are the most vulnerable group of the population. Children who have lost their relatives, shelter, and food become victims of forced involvement in armed conflicts as soldiers. In cases of refusal, they may suffer physical violence and death.  International legal instruments such as the «Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989», the «Geneva Convention (IV) of 1949», «Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention of 1977», and others provide mechanisms for the protection of children's rights in situations of armed conflict. However, their implementation often faces obstacles related to the unsatisfactory organization of international control, the lack of unification of the legal framework at the regional and international levels, insufficient funding for programs to protect children's rights in the context of military operations, etc. Effective protection of children requires coordinated actions by international organizations to strengthen control over compliance with standards established by international treaties. Ultimately, the protection of children in situations of armed conflict should be seen as a shared responsibility of all mankind. Only the joint efforts of all countries of the world can ensure the protection of children by providing a safe environment, access to medical care and education.