Access to justice for war affected children: addressing obstacles

Despite advancements since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989 and its Protocol on children in armed conflict, the protection of children in war zones remains a significant issue. Tens of thousands of children continue to suffer violations, including recruitment as child soldiers, forced displacement, and sexual violence. While international mechanisms, such as the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism and various judicial bodies, provide avenues for redress, children still face major obstacles in accessing justice. This research explores how to improve access to justice for children affected by armed conflict, emphasizing the right to remedy for children to have a real opportunity to access justice before national and international bodies, and the major role played by other actors such as NGOs and legal representatives in advocating for their rights.