Model UN Background Guide

Committee: SOCHUM (Third Committee of the General Assembly)
Topic: Children in Armed Conflict
Conference Year: 2025

Topic Background

The issue of children in armed conflict has been a persistent humanitarian and human rights challenge for decades. Children—defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as individuals under 18 years of age—are among the most vulnerable victims of war. They suffer from direct violence, forced recruitment as child soldiers, displacement, sexual exploitation, and the destruction of education and healthcare infrastructure. The recruitment and use of child soldiers remain widespread in conflicts across multiple regions, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Historically, the plight of children in armed conflict gained international attention in the late 20th century, particularly after the end of the Cold War, when numerous intrastate conflicts led to massive civilian casualties and the systematic use of children in hostilities. The 1996 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict marked a milestone in international law, raising the minimum age for direct participation in hostilities to 18.

In recent years, the issue has reemerged with new urgency due to protracted conflicts in Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and the Sahel region, where children continue to be forcibly recruited, abducted, or killed. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities by disrupting education and social services. Additionally, the rise of non-state armed groups and terrorist organizations poses complex challenges to international efforts to protect children.

The topic remains on the SOCHUM agenda because of ongoing violations despite existing frameworks, the need for enhanced international cooperation, and the evolving nature of armed conflict, including the increased use of technology and hybrid warfare, which can affect children in new ways. The 2025 session is an opportunity to strengthen global commitments and explore innovative approaches to prevention, rehabilitation, and accountability.

Key Actors

States

• Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Both have experienced prolonged conflicts involving child soldiers and are active in regional initiatives to demobilize and reintegrate children.
• Norway and Sweden: Known for their leadership in child protection and disarmament, these countries advocate for stronger international legal frameworks and funding for rehabilitation programs.
• United States and United Kingdom: Major donors to programs combating the use of child soldiers and supporters of UN peacekeeping mandates that include child protection components.
• Russia and China: Often emphasize state sovereignty and non-interference, advocating for solutions that respect national contexts and prioritize state-led initiatives.
• South Sudan and Central African Republic (CAR): Countries currently affected by active conflicts where children’s rights violations are acute, often calling for more international support and peacekeeping efforts.

International Organizations (IOs)

• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): The lead UN agency for child protection, focusing on prevention, demobilization, reintegration, and psychosocial support.
• Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC): Monitors violations, produces reports, and works with parties to conflict to end abuses against children.
• UN Peacekeeping Missions: Many mandates include child protection advisors and programs aimed at preventing recruitment and providing safe environments.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Provides humanitarian assistance and advocates for adherence to international humanitarian law protecting children.
• African Union (AU): Engages regionally through peace and security frameworks to address child soldier recruitment and rehabilitation in Africa.

Bloc Positions

1. Western and Nordic Countries

This bloc prioritizes strong international legal standards and enforcement mechanisms. They emphasize accountability for perpetrators, support robust child protection mandates in peacekeeping, and advocate for increased funding for rehabilitation and education programs. They often push for the universal ratification and implementation of the Optional Protocol and related treaties.

2. African States and Regional Organizations

Many African countries are directly affected by child recruitment and emphasize the importance of peacebuilding and development as solutions. They advocate for international assistance in demobilization and reintegration efforts but also stress respect for sovereignty and local ownership of programs. Regional organizations like the AU seek to coordinate responses and promote regional norms against child soldiering.

3. Non-Aligned and Developing Countries

This diverse bloc often highlights the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and underdevelopment, advocating for comprehensive approaches that include economic development, education, and healthcare. They may be cautious about external intervention and emphasize capacity-building and respecting national legal frameworks.

4. Authoritarian and Sovereignty-Focused States

Including Russia, China, and some Middle Eastern countries, this group tends to prioritize state sovereignty and non-interference. They may resist resolutions perceived as infringing on national jurisdiction or enabling external monitoring. They often call for balanced approaches that consider the security concerns of states and the complexity of non-state armed groups.

Past UN Action

The United Nations has addressed children in armed conflict through multiple resolutions and initiatives:

• Resolution 1261 (1999): The first Security Council resolution specifically addressing the impact of armed conflict on children, condemning recruitment and abuse.
• Resolution 1612 (2005): Established a monitoring and reporting mechanism on grave violations against children in conflict zones.
• Resolution 1882 (2009): Strengthened measures to prevent recruitment and use of children, including sanctions.
• Resolution 2427 (2018): Focused on rehabilitation, reintegration, and the prevention of recruitment, emphasizing the role of peacekeeping missions.
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (2000): Key legal instruments guiding international norms.

The Secretary-General’s annual reports on children and armed conflict provide detailed country-specific information and recommendations, informing the work of the Security Council and General Assembly.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can the UN enhance the enforcement of existing legal frameworks to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers?
2. What mechanisms can be improved or established to ensure better monitoring and reporting of violations against children in conflict?
3. How can international cooperation be strengthened to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflict?
4. What role should peacekeeping operations play in protecting children, and how can their mandates be optimized?
5. How can the international community address the root causes that make children vulnerable to recruitment, such as poverty, lack of education, and displacement?
6. What measures can be taken to hold non-state armed groups accountable for violations against children?
7. How can states balance respect for sovereignty with the need for international action to protect children in conflict zones?

Further Reading

• UN Documents: These include Security Council resolutions, General Assembly reports, and Secretary-General’s annual reports on children and armed conflict. They provide official positions, mandates, and data on violations and responses.
• Think-Tank Reports: Policy research from institutions such as the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch, and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) offer in-depth analysis, case studies, and recommendations on child protection in conflict settings.
• News Outlets and Investigative Journalism: Reputable international media like BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters provide up-to-date coverage on ongoing conflicts, highlighting current challenges and humanitarian responses related to children in armed conflict.

This background guide aims to provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding children in armed conflict, equipping them to engage in informed debate and draft effective resolutions.