B.Yogitha Sri, Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, Visakhapatnam
ABSTRACT
“In times of armed conflict, various provisions of international humanitarian law define, endorse, and strengthen the principles of special protection for children. These concepts apply to a broad range of topics and circumstances for children of various ages. And the focus has always been on the humanitarian side of the crisis and the proposals proposed to fix it. Infants and children under the age of fifteen, for example, have always been kept with their families and provided with sufficient food, clothes, and education. The children are correctly categorized, and even though they commit crimes, their age and development of faculties are taken into account when punishing them. The death penalty cannot be carried out. The Geneva Conventions of 1949, as well as the two Additional Protocols of 1977, contain twenty-five provisions requiring special protection. Children under the age of fifteen are forbidden from engaging in warfare, and enrolment of children between the ages of fifteen and eighteen is limited.
Despite the above, it is clear that children are still involved in conflicts and appear to be innocent victims of military conflict, which, sadly, is a normal occurrence. In this regard, it should be noted that the problem is not with the statute, but with its application. In their pursuit of their goals to win the wars, the parties to the conflicts and their instrumentalities appear to be ruthless, disregarding the well-established and consistent principles of international humanitarian law. At this time, it appears that what is required is not more legislation, but rather its adoption and implementation in practice. It is important that the Geneva Conventions regime, which is already in effect, be implemented in letter and spirit, and that the international community make it a crusade by concerted efforts”.
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