Surveying the Concept of the Child Soldier in the International Law

Wars and their consequences impose the deepest effects on children. Children who have not played any role in the creation of the conflicts, and as a result, they have played no role in laying down the laws of the war and their demands as well. Apart from the widespread and ominous consequences of the war, the atrocious use of children in war is one of its most disastrous consequences. It's very effortless to abuse children because of their childish spirits and immaturity. Children are the main victims of wars. They are suddenly moved to the middle of war and armed conflict which has no relation to their childhood. Today, one of the basic challenges in the area of international law, especially humanitarian law, is the increasing use of children as soldiers in international as well as internal armed conflicts. Despite the fact that the International Humanitarian Law and human rights system, with a focus on the prohibition of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts, contains abundant international regulations, the international community continues to witness the ever-increasing mandatory and even voluntary presence of child soldiers in contemporary armed conflicts.