Children and the Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

Abstract

This chapter investigates the legal problems relating to the status of children affected by the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine, such as their involvement in hostilities, losing parents, being deprived of schooling, trafficking and other grave violations of children’s rights in the combat zone and territory not controlled by the Ukrainian Government. The author analyses legislative measures that have been implemented in Ukraine in relation to the provisions of international humanitarian and human rights law relating to children affected by armed conflict, as well as reveals certain gaps in national juvenile and criminal legislation. The author’s propositions are as follows: full implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, fundamental revision of the section of the Criminal Code of Ukraine dedicated to crimes against the peace and security of mankind, and appropriate amendments to juvenile legislation.