Attachments
Introduction
Worldwide, one in six children – or about 449 million – live in conflict zones. Their rights are often affected by the activities of State and non-State parties to armed conflicts. In 2022 alone, the United Nations (UN) verified 24,300 grave violations against children – these included killing and maiming, sexual violence, use and recruitment, abductions, and deprivations of vital resources ensuing from the destruction of schools, hospitals and the arbitrary denial of humanitarian relief.
This document provides a glossary of legal terms relevant to abduction and deportation of children in armed conflict. It presents clear and succinct analysis of terms by referencing the legal basis under international law, relevant jurisprudence and interpretative work of adjudicative and monitoring mechanisms, and signposting, where pertinent, relations with other terminology. The analysis draws on international legal instruments under international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL), international refugee law (IRL), international criminal law (ICL), UN Security Council resolutions, customary international law and other documents adopted by international organizations or drafted by independent experts affiliated with such bodies.
The aim of this glossary is to enhance legal understanding on child protection in armed conflict among international and domestic policymakers, field practitioners, civil society organizations and the media. It seeks to assist with monitoring and decision-making activities, thus contributing to the effective implementation of international law frameworks and mechanisms for the protection of children in armed conflict.