The Paris Principles
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THE PARIS PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ON CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH ARMED FORCES OR ARMED GROUPS February 2007 Note: This document is in the process of being endorsed by organisations and individuals. This version of the text was produced on January 30th 2007. Further minor amendments are likely. Readers are advised to contact UNICEF ([email protected]) if they require clarification on the status of the draft or the endorsement process. 1 PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES ON CHILDREN ASSOCIATED WITH ARMED FORCES OR ARMED GROUPS1 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 4 Background to the principles.............................................................................................................................. 4 Overview of the principles ................................................................................................................................. 5 Purpose of the principles .................................................................................................................................... 6 Scope and target audience .................................................................................................................................. 6 2. DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 7 3. OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES ............................................................................................................ 8 General principles............................................................................................................................................... 8 Preamble............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Non-discrimination............................................................................................................................................. 8 Best interests of the child ................................................................................................................................... 9 Children and justice............................................................................................................................................ 9 Treatment of those accused of violations of children’s rights ............................................................................ 9 Treatment of children accused of crimes under international law ...................................................................... 9 The right to life, survival and development...................................................................................................... 10 Children’s right to release from armed forces or armed groups ....................................................................... 10 Participation and respect for the views of the child.......................................................................................... 10 Operational principles ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Preamble........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Accountability and transparency ...................................................................................................................... 11 Context-specific programming......................................................................................................................... 11 Capacity strengthening ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Funding and other support for the prevention of unlawful recruitment or use and the release and reintegration of children ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Coordination, Collaboration and Cooperation.................................................................................................. 12 Confidentiality.................................................................................................................................................. 13 Information-sharing.......................................................................................................................................... 13 Media coverage ................................................................................................................................................ 13 4. ADDRESSING THE SPECIFIC SITUATION OF GIRLS................................................................ 13 5. REFUGEE AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILDREN ........................................................... 14 Refugee children .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Internally displaced children ............................................................................................................................ 15 6. PREVENTION OF UNLAWFUL RECRUITMENT OR USE.......................................................... 16 Ratification and implementation of international legal standards..................................................................... 17 Prevention in relation to refugees and internally displaced persons ................................................................. 18 Monitoring and reporting ................................................................................................................................. 19 Advocacy for prevention .................................................................................................................................. 20 Prevention and education ................................................................................................................................. 21 Building local initiatives................................................................................................................................... 22 Preventing the unlawful recruitment or use of girls.......................................................................................... 23 Family unity ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 1 This document exists in English and French. In case of discrepancy between the two languages, English is to be considered the definitive version. 2 7. RELEASE AND REINTEGRATION................................................................................................... 24 Planning and preparation.................................................................................................................................. 24 Protection of children who have been associated with armed forces or armed groups..................................... 25 Advocacy.......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Armed groups................................................................................................................................................... 26 Peace processes and peace agreements............................................................................................................. 26 The release process........................................................................................................................................... 27 Eligibility for the release process ..................................................................................................................... 28 The release ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 The release of children who are not in their state of nationality....................................................................... 29 Girls and the release process ............................................................................................................................ 29 Interviewing children ....................................................................................................................................... 30 An inclusive approach to reintegration............................................................................................................. 30 Material assistance ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Family tracing .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Support for families and communities to which children return or integrate.................................................... 32 Family reunification and family based care arrangements ............................................................................... 33 Supporting children in finding a role in their community................................................................................