Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Name	Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Formation	1998
Founders	Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Save the Children Alliance, Jesuit Refugee Service, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF
Type	Non-governmental organization
Purpose	To prevent the use of child soldiers in armed conflict
Headquarters	London
Region served	Worldwide

Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers is a global non-governmental organization that works to prevent the use of child soldiers in armed conflict, with founding members including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Save the Children Alliance, Jesuit Refugee Service, Terre des Hommes, and UNICEF. The organization was formed in 1998 to address the widespread use of child soldiers in conflicts around the world, including the Sierra Leone Civil War, Liberian Civil War, and Bosnian War. The coalition's work is guided by international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and is supported by organizations such as Oxfam, Save the Children, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Key figures involved in the issue of child soldiers include Graca Machel, Olara Otunnu, and Radhika Coomaraswamy, who have worked with the United Nations to address the problem.

Introduction

The use of child soldiers is a serious violation of international law, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers works to raise awareness about the issue and to advocate for the protection of children in conflict zones, including in countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Afghanistan. The organization also works with governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, to develop policies and laws to prevent the use of child soldiers. Key international instruments guiding the coalition's work include the Hague Conventions, the Geneva Conventions, and the Paris Principles.

History

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers was formed in 1998 by a group of non-governmental organizations concerned about the use of child soldiers in conflicts around the world. The coalition's founding members included Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UNICEF, and the organization has since grown to include over 50 member organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The coalition has worked on a range of campaigns and initiatives, including the Global March Against Child Labour and the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers. Key events and conferences that have shaped the coalition's work include the United Nations General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, and the African Union summits.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers is to prevent the use of child soldiers in armed conflict and to promote the protection of children in conflict zones. The coalition works to achieve this objective through a range of activities, including advocacy, research, and campaigning, and has developed a set of principles and guidelines for the protection of children in conflict, including the Paris Principles and the Cape Town Principles. The coalition also works to support the development of international law and policy on the issue, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Key organizations and initiatives supporting the coalition's objectives include the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the Global Coalition for Peace».

Activities and Campaigns

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers has undertaken a range of activities and campaigns to achieve its objectives, including research and reporting on the use of child soldiers in conflicts around the world, and advocacy with governments and international organizations to develop policies and laws to prevent the use of child soldiers. The coalition has also worked with local organizations and communities to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers, including in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Uganda. Key campaigns and initiatives include the Red Hand Day campaign, the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, and the Global Week of Action Against Child Soldiering. The coalition has also worked with key figures, including Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and Antonio Guterres, to raise awareness about the issue and to promote action to prevent the use of child soldiers.

Membership and Partnerships

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers has a diverse membership of over 50 non-governmental organizations from around the world, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UNICEF. The coalition also works in partnership with a range of other organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to achieve its objectives. The coalition has also developed partnerships with governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, and with international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union. Key partnerships and collaborations include the Child Soldiers International network, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, and the International Network for Education in Emergencies.

Impact and Achievements

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers has had a significant impact on the global effort to prevent the use of child soldiers in armed conflict. The coalition's advocacy and campaigning have helped to raise awareness about the issue and to promote action to prevent the use of child soldiers, including the development of international law and policy on the issue. The coalition has also supported the rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Uganda. Key achievements include the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the development of guidelines and principles for the protection of children in conflict, including the Paris Principles and the Cape Town Principles. The coalition's work has been recognized and supported by key figures, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Malala Yousafzai, and has contributed to a growing global movement to prevent the use of child soldiers and to promote the protection of children in conflict zones.

Category:Non-governmental organizations