A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

Programs for Vulnerable Groups: Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups
The Government of Liberia has ratified International Labour Organisation Worst Forms of Child
Labour Convention, and is therefore bound to the obligations set forth in it. The Government
of Liberia has signed, but not ratified, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The Advocates recommends that the
Government of Liberia:
• Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement
of children in armed conflict without delay.
The Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups
and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention provide a guiding framework with regard to
rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers. The Advocates recommends the following:
• The Government of Liberia should take all appropriate measures to promote physical
and psychological recovery and social reintegration. Some children may require particular
support, including children with a disability or a serious health problem, including drug and
alcohol abuse, survivors of sexual abuse, and those whose families have died or rejected them.
• Children accused of crimes under international or national law allegedly committed while
working with armed forces or armed groups are entitled to be treated in accordance with
international standards for juvenile justice, including the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for
the Administration of Juvenile Justice, the U.N. Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile
Delinquency, and the U.N. Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty.
They should not be prosecuted or punished or threatened with prosecution or punishment
solely for their membership in those groups. Alternatives to judicial proceedings should be
sought for children at the national level.
• The Government of Liberia should ensure that programs working with former child
combatants are based on child rights and humanitarian principles, that applicable minimum
standards of programs are met, and that systems for accountability are developed.
• The Government of Liberia should facilitate coordination among programs working with
former child soldiers.
• The Government of Liberia and all other relevant authorities should treat personal information
relating to violations of children’s rights, including unlawful recruitment or use by armed
forces or armed groups, as confidential.
• The Government of Liberia should recognize that education, vocational and skills training,
and/or opportunities to gain a livelihood are essential elements for reintegration. 100 Accelerated
learning programs suitable for adolescents and adults who have missed years of school should
be compatible with and recognized by the formal system of education. 101 Alternative forms of
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Chapter Fourteen