Ratification of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (2000) by Ethiopia: What is the Added-Value?

Abstract

In armed conflicts in different parts of the world, the involvement andrecruitment of children seem to be inevitable part of the story. In order to stopinvolvement of children in armed conflict, the UN has come up with OptionalProtocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in 2000. The FederalDemocratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE, hereinafter) has ratified the OptionalProtocol.' This writer sees the important values the Optional Protocol has addedto the already existing human (child) rights system as the ratification of theOptional Protocol by the FDRE has enabled the country to import these addedvalues to the existing domestic human rights system per Art.9(4) of itsConstitution. The government failed to fix 18 years under the new DefenceForces law and hence to work towards establishing 18 as minimum requirementage under the law. Thus the ratification imports a law that cures this defect. Thewriter argues that the persisting challenges are the absence of proper birthregistration and absent or defective procedures for age verification. Theresearcher further argues that the Ethiopian recruitment procedure is not reliable.He argues also that incorporation of substantive provisions as to cross-borderrecruitment, training and use of child soldiers, and provisions relating to specificproblems to girl child soldiers or indirect participation should be soldiered on.