Abstract

We live in a world where conflict may very quickly take the form of war, resulting in the loss of life and property. Armed conflict is fairly common. These military wars have had the greatest impact on one of society’s most vulnerable groups: children. Children are the innocent victims of armed wars. To begin, the author will discuss the establishment of individual rights for children in the arena of international law, as shown by the signing of treaties and the adoption of protocols. Following that, this study examines the six severe breaches that have an impact on children in armed conflicts, both from an international and an Indian viewpoint. As the author delves into the six major infractions, he demonstrates how these breaches impinge on the rights granted to these children by both international treaties and domestic Indian legislation. The study then examines the various methods by which such children might be rehabilitated back into society, including an examination of the appropriate legislative laws. Included in these clauses is the statutory responsibility placed on the state to guarantee rehabilitation via the use of shelter houses, foster families, and the protection of children via hotline numbers. The author also demonstrates how some of these regulations have been shown to be glaringly ineffective in the recovery of children who have been harmed by violent wars. Despite the fact that these legislative protections impose a responsibility on the state in the form of rehabilitation, public engagement in Indian society is essentially non-existent. The author offers several strategies for raising awareness among the general public about the plight of children caught up in armed conflict, as well as measures for society to assist in the rehabilitation of these youngsters.

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