Armed non-State actors speak about child protection in ... · Meeting report 22 – 24 November...

Meeting report 22 – 24 November 2016

With the support of

Armed non-State actors speak about child protection in armed conflict

Geneva Call | Armed non-State actors speak about child protection in armed conflict

ABOUT | ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ...............................................................................................

INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................

CHILDREN WITHIN ARMED NON-STATE ACTORS (ANSA) ............................... A.Recruitmentanduseinhostilities ...................................................................... B.Thenotionofassociation .................................................................................... C.Challengestothepreventionofrecruitmentandassociation ........................... D.ReleaseandReintegration .................................................................................. CHILDREN LIVING IN TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY ANSAs ............................ A. Aid and care ......................................................................................................... B.Education ............................................................................................................. ANSAs’ COMMITMENTS TO CHILD PROTECTION AND THE CHALLENGES OF COMPLIANCE .......................................................... A.Internationalaccountabilitymechanisms .......................................................... B.Practicalmeasurestoensurecompliance.......................................................... MEETING RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... RecommendationstoANSAs .................................................................................. Recommendationstohumanitarianorganizations(theUNandNGOs) ............... ANNEXES ......................................................................................................................Meetingprogramme .....................................................................................................ListofANSAparticipants ..............................................................................................

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Graphic Design:www.kathleenmorf.chCover Photo: A representative of an ANSA speaking at Geneva Call’s meeting, November 2016. ©GenevaCallPrinting: www.imprimerie-villiere.comPaper:PrintedentirelyonFSCrecycledpaperusingorganicinks©GenevaCall,September2017

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ABOUTPEIC

Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), aprogramme of the Education Above All Foundation,advocatesforthedefenceofeducationwhenitismostat risk and most vital. PEIC undertakes advocacyinitiativesthatsafeguardtherighttoeducationintimes

ofinsecurityandarmedconflict.PEICisalsocommittedtoresearchandpolicyworkthatbringsglobalattentionto theharmcausedtoeducationbywar,conflictandinsecurity.

ABOUTGENEVACALL

GenevaCallisaneutralandimpartialnon-governmentalorganizationdedicatedtopromotingrespectbyarmednon-Stateactors(ANSAs)forinternationalhumanitariannorms,inparticularthoserelatedtotheprotectionof

civilians.Aspartofitswork,GenevaCallengagesANSAstowardstheprotectionofchildrenfromtheeffectsofarmed conflict, in particular the prohibition of therecruitmentanduseofchildreninhostilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

GenevaCallwouldliketoexpressitsgratitudetoallthedonorswhichmadethismeetingpossible:• TheMinistryofForeignandEuropeanAffairs oftheGrandDuchyofLuxembourg

• TheMinistryofForeignAffairsofNorway• TheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF)• ProtectEducationinInsecurityandConflict(PEIC), aprogrammeoftheEducationAboveAllFoundation• La Loterie Romande

Special thanks go to PEIC, UNICEF and the UnitedNations Office of the Special Representative of theSecretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict for their active participation and contribution to themeeting.

Geneva Call would also like to thank the FederalDepartment of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland for itsinvaluablelogisticalandfinancialsupport.

3ABOUT|ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

IwouldliketocommendGenevaCall fortheopportunityANSAsweregiven toexchangewithspecializedagencies oncommitmentsrelatedtochildprotectionandforcreatingtheopportunityfor twogroupstomakenewpledgesduring themeeting.Inparticular,Iamgrateful ofGenevaCall’scontributiontomakingpossiblethesignatureoftheActionPlan withtheSPLM-North

Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC)

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GenevaCall|Armednon-Stateactorsspeakaboutchildprotectioninarmedconflict

4 MEETINGHIGHLIGHTS

Representativesof 21 armed non-Stateactors(ANSA) from12countriesparticipatedalongside leadingchildprotectionagencies.

Themeetingaddressedkeyissues (suchastherootcausesofchildrecruitmentandassociation,methods ofageassessmentandtheprotectionofeducationfrommilitaryuseandattack) andidentifiedpracticalmeasureswhichANSAscantaketoensurecompliance withinternationalstandards.

Themeetingalsocreatedthespaceforchildprotectionagencies tointeractwithANSAs,topresenttheirmandatesandtoidentifywaystoincreasehumanitarianassistancetochildreninneedlivinginareasundertheircontrol.

TwoANSAsmadenewpledges duringthemeeting:theAlliancedesPatriotespourunCongoLibreetSouverain (APCLS)signedGenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict,andtheSudanPeople’sLiberationMovement-North(SPLM-N)signedanActionPlanwith theUnitedNationstoendandpreventtherecruitmentanduseofchildreninconflict.

Themeetingwasakeyopportunityfor ANSAstostrengthentheir knowledgeofinternationalstandards and mechanisms andfor childprotectionagencies tolearnaboutANSAs’experiences and thechallenges theyfaceinimplementingsuchstandardsinpractice.

Signing of the Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict by APCLS, November 2016, Geneva.©GenevaCall

1 The report of the meeting is available at https://genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/07/3rd-Meeting-of-Signatories-Report.pdf

2 11 ANSAs were signatories to the Deed of Commitment, two were signatories to UN Action Plans and the others were movements with

which Geneva Call and/or the UN had previously engaged with in a dialogue on child protection.

3 Information received in a meeting can be freely used by the participants. However, neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

From 22 to 24 November 2016, Geneva Call invitedrepresentativesofarmednon-Stateactors(ANSAs)andspecialized agencies to Geneva for a unprecedentedworking meeting on child protection. The meeting’soverall purpose was to discuss how children andeducationcouldbebetterprotectedfromtheeffectsofarmedconflict.Itsspecificaimswereto:

• strengtheningANSAs’knowledgeofandadherencetointernationalstandardspertainingtotheprotectionofchildreninarmedconflict;

• reviewing progress, sharing good practices andaddressing the challenges in implementing thosestandards;

• providinganopportunity forANSAsandspecializedagencies to interact and identify further childprotectionandassistanceneeds,aswellaspotentialresponses.

Thedemandforsuchagatheringhadbeen identifiedduringtheThirdMeetingofSignatoriestoGenevaCall’sDeeds of Commitment, held in 20141. ANSAs raisedseveralissuesthere,buttheycouldnotbeaddressed,duetotimeconstraints.Theseincluded:

• children’slackofalternativestoenlistmentinarmedforcesandtheirreasonsforjoining;

• thechallengesANSAsfaceinverifyingandassessingtheageofrecruits;

• the use of schools and universities for militarypurposes;

• ANSAs’ lack of capacity and external support forreintegratingdemobilizedchildrenintosociety;

• thechallengesANSAsfaceinproviding“aidandcare”to children living in areas under their control,includingwithregardstoeducationandhealthcare;

• thelackofunderstandingabouttheUnitedNations(UN)Monitoring andReportingMechanism (MRM)anditsActionPlanprocess,howtheyworkandtheircomplementaritieswith othermechanisms such asGenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict (hereafter,Deed of Commitment).

Atotalof31representativesfrom21armedmovementsoperatinginBurma/Myanmar,Colombia,theDemocraticRepublic of Congo, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan,

Syria,thePhilippines,TurkeyandYemenparticipatedinthe meeting (see list in Annexe)2. Leading agenciesworkingontheprotectionofchildrenandeducation inarmedconflictwerealsopresent,namely theOfficeoftheSpecialRepresentativeof theSecretary-General forChildren and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC), the UNChildren’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Department ofPeacekeepingOperations(DKPO),theOfficeoftheUNHigh Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), theInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross(ICRC),SavetheChildren,WarChild,ProtectEducationinInsecurityand Conflict (PEIC, a programme of the EducationAbove All Foundation) and the Global Coalition toProtect Education fromAttack (GCPEA). A number ofGeneva Call’s local partner organizations were alsoinvited:AfaqAcademy(Syria),CorporaciónCompromisoHumano and Comunidades construyendo paz en losterritorios (Colombia), Karen Women Organization(Burma/Myanmar) and National Human RightsMonitors Organization (Sudan). Finally, Luxembourg,NorwayandSwitzerland—whichare leadingStates inthe protection of children and education in armedconflict—supported the event and attended theopeningceremonyaswellassomeofthesessions.

Plenary sessions and expert briefings were used tointroduce specific topics and inform ANSAs aboutinternational standards, mechanisms and guidelines,whereas smaller working group sessions addressedcertainpracticalissuesinmoredetail(suchasenforcingcompliance), giving ANSA representatives theopportunitytosharetheirexperiences.Thefinalday’ssessions,co-organizedwithPEIC,werededicatedtotheprotection of education, including protecting schoolsfrom military use and attack (see programme inAnnexe). The meeting was held under the ChathamHouseRule3soastoencouragealltheparticipantstoopenly discuss the challenges which ANSAs face incomplyingwithinternationalstandardsaswellasthosefaced by international agencies working to ensureANSAcompliance.

GenevaCallistheonlyorganization abletogathersuchanunusualmeeting

a UNICEF representative

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5INTRODUCTION1

https://genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/07/3rd-Meeting-of-Signatories-Report.pdf



A. Recruitment and use in hostilities

Variouslegalinstrumentsprohibittherecruitmentanduseofchildreninhostilities.It isgenerallyconsideredthat“useinhostilities”includesdirectparticipationincombat operations, defending military objectives,participating in military activities such as scouting,spying, transporting ammunition and manningcheckpoints,aswellasotherdirectsupportfunctionson the frontline. “Recruitment” refers to both theprocessandconditionofbeingamemberofaStateorANSA armed force, whether a formal or an informalmember4.Recruitmentdoesnotcovermembershiptoa political or humanitarian branch. However, it doesinclude self-defence forces which may be separatefrom the regular armed forces. With regards to agestandards,therearedifferencesbetweeninternationalhumanitarianlaw(IHL)andinternationalhumanrightslaw (IHRL). IHL prohibits the recruitment and use ofchildrenundertheageof15,whereas,underIHRL,theOptionalProtocol to theConventionon theRightsofthe Child on the involvement of children in ArmedConflict(OPAC)raisestheminimumageforcompulsoryrecruitment and use to 18 for ANSAs5. Despite thesedifferences, there is a growing trend towards aprohibitiononanyformofmilitaryrecruitmentoruseinhostilitiesofpersonsundertheageof18yearsold.

During themeeting, oneANSAparticipant raised thequestionofStatemilitaryacademiesassuchinstitutionsare excluded from the scope of OPAC. It wasacknowledged thatOPAC imposesdifferent standardson States and ANSAs, notably regarding the age forvoluntary recruitment. Currently, under OPAC,recruitmentbyANSAsissubjecttoahigherminimumage requirement (18 years old) than recruitment byStates(18yearsoldforcompulsoryrecruitmentand16for voluntary recruitment). However, States practicesaremakingthisdistinctionlessrelevant:overtwothirdsofStateshaveprohibitedthevoluntaryrecruitmentofunder-18s in the binding declarations that they arerequiredtodepositwhenbecomingpartiestoOPAC. Indeed, most ANSAs responded that 18 was theappropriateminimumageforrecruitmentanduseandhave accepted this as standard. Only two ANSAs

questioned the relevance of this threshold forparticipation in hostilities, whereas three othersallowedthevoluntaryrecruitmentofchildrenover16years old into non-combat units—a standard thatwould be permissible for State parties. ANSAparticipants noted it is only at the age of 18 thatchildren are physically and mentally mature andcapable of exercising judgement. Childrenmust haveenough time to go through all the stages of theirpersonaldevelopmentsoastobecomefullyresponsibleforthemselvesandabletorealisetheconsequencesoftheir actions. From 10 to 13 years old, children arebecomingteenagersandundergosignificanthormonalchanges. They develop their own value systems andneedguidanceonresolvingconflictsandbuildingself-confidence.From14to18yearsold,teenagersareontheedgeofadulthood,developingtheirownsenseofself—ofwhotheyare.Psychologicaldistressortraumaatthisstagecanresultinaconfusedsenseofidentityandlowself-esteem.Someparticipantsalsohighlightedthatmany countries recognize 18 as the legal age ofadulthood(asdemonstrated,forexample,bytherighttovote)andthisisincreasinglybecomingacceptedastheuniversalnorm.Themilitaryefficacyofminorswasalso questioned. Their lack of experience, disciplineand physical resistance was deemed a burden forofficers. One ANSA delegate said that his movementhad liftedtherecruitmentageto18 inanattempttoensuremoreprofessional combatants,with amaturemindandasolideducation.SeveralANSAsechoedthatchildrenshouldcompletetheireducationbeforejoiningarmedforces.

Finally,participantshighlightedthedireconsequenceswhicharmedconflictcanhaveonchildren:psychologicaltrauma (mistrust, anxiety, fear, depression, etc.),disability, detention, torture, sexual abuse andexploitation, forced labour, illiteracy, social exclusion,behavioural or personality changes, addiction,brainwashingandsoforth.Frompersonalexperience,some ANSA delegates added the challenge faced bychildren trying to return to a normal civilian life,particularlywhenalltheyhaveknownisarmedviolenceortheyhavewitnessedand/orexperiencedabuse.This

4 This reflects the realities in the field, where some ANSAs have strict formal procedures for membership (such as ceremonies, oaths, or written documentation), whereas others lack any formalities

and membership is therefore based on defacto circumstances. 5 OPAC uses the term ‘armed group’ to refer to what this report calls

ANSAs.


6 CHILDRENWITHINARMEDNON-STATEACTORS2

ispartlyduetoalackoftrustinstrangers,addedtothedifficultiesofreintegratingchildrenwhohavelosttheculturalbondstotheircommunitiesandtothestigmafacedbyformerchildsoldiers. AnumberofANSAdelegatesdiscussed thenotionofchildhood from anthropological, cultural, religious orsocial perspectives. The physical development andappearance of children may vary according to thecontext(ethnicbackground,lifestyleandenvironment,nutrition,etc.).Oneexamplementionedchildrenwhohad had to do physical work from an early age andmightbemorephysicallydevelopedthanchildrenwhohad only attended school. One ANSA representativedisagreed, stating that childrenof 15or 16 years oldwerefitenoughtoreceivemilitarytrainingandmentallyprepared to make important decisions about theirfuture,suchasjoininganarmedmovement.Moreover,thenotionofchildhoodmayalsobeinfluencedbylocalcultureandtraditions.OneANSArepresentativesharedthe example of his country, where boys as young as 13yearsoldbecomemeninthecommunity’seyesafterundergoing a rite of passage to adulthood. Beliefs andreligiousnormsmayalsoinfluencethedefinitionofchildhood.Severalreferencesweremade,forexample,to Islam, which creates age limits for certain activities thatarenotalways congruentwithmoderninternational law. Certain ANSA representativesexpressedreluctancetoabidebynormsdifferentfrom

thoseespousedbytheirreligion.Finally,socialnormscanplayaroleindefiningchildhoodandachild’slevelof maturity. An ANSA delegate explained that it was not uncommon in his country to become parents at 14yearsold, thus leadingchildren to takeovermoreadultresponsibilitiesatanearlyage.

All these examples demonstrate how the notion ofchildhood isnotonlyunderstoodbyage,but alsobycontext, culture, religionand lifestyle.However,mostoftheANSArepresentativeswereadamantthatthesedifferences, thoughsignificant,shouldnotbeusedasexcuses or justifications for ignoring internationalstandards and recruiting or using minors. It wasunderlined that all human beings share commoncharacteristicsand features, implyingthatall childrenand teenagers go through the same stages ofdevelopment, at approximately the same periods intheirlives.

Themovementhasdestroyedmany innocentlivesoverthelast30years. Irealizewhatmistakeswemade,notbeingawareoftheinternationalstandardson theprotectionofchildren,butweare willingtocorrectthem an ANSA representative

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An ANSA representative presenting its organization’s recruitment policy at Geneva Call’s meeting, November 2016.©GenevaCall


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GenevaCall|Armednon-Stateactorsspeakupaboutchildprotectioninconflictsituations

6 The Paris Principles have been endorsed by 105 States to date, and although they are not legally binding, they complement the legal framework already in place to ensure greater protection for children. They aim to guide national, regional and international actors on how to

develop strategies for preventing the recruitment and association of children, demobilizing them from armed forces or groups and helping them to reintegrate into society.

B. The notion of association

Theterm“association”isabroadconceptthatcapturesthefullspectrumofchildren’sinvolvementwithfightingforces. Although it does not appear in any existingtreaty law, it canbe found in theParisPrinciplesandGuidelinesonChildrenAssociatedwithArmedForcesorArmedGroups(ParisPrinciples).6

The notion of “association” is thus broader than thenotion of membership and “use in hostilities”, as itreferstotheuseofchildreninanycapacity,whetherformilitaryornon-militaryactivitiesortasks.Itthereforecoversthegreyzonewherechildrensomehowplayanactive role in an armed force or group’s broaderfunctioning,yetwithoutactuallybeingusedincombatorbeingconsideredasformalmembers.Thisincludesactivitiessuchascooking,collectingfirewood,providinglogistics, and so forth. Under international law,association isnotunlawfulassuch,as longas itdoesnot amount to the recruitment or use of children inhostilitiesorconstituteanotherviolationofchildren’srights, such as rape, sexual slavery or other formsofsexualviolence.

Beyondthelegalnorm,participantsidentifiedanumberofriskswhichsuchassociationsmightexposechildrento. Several ANSAs highlighted that living in militarycampsorintheirvicinityincreasedtheriskofchildrenbeing killed or injured in attacks by opposing forces.The presence of civilian children inside or near amilitary objective, even if they cannot be directlytargeted,putthematriskofbecominglawful“collateraldamage”. Beyond the risks of direct attacks, thepresence of weapons and possibly of explosiveremnants of war adds to the risk of accidents.

Furthermore,childrenassociatedwithafightingforcemay witness or be the victims of acts of violence,includingsexualviolence.Theymayalsobeexposedtoabuseor ill-treatment incaseofarrest. Inadditiontothe risk of physical harm, there is a high risk of thechildrenconcernedsufferingfromdepressionorpost-traumatic stress disorder, which could furtherperpetuate the cycle of violence. Children whoexperience violence tend to consider such behaviournormalandmayrepeatitlater.

Whilerecognizingtherisksfacingchildren,someANSAdelegatessaidthatthestatusofchildrenself-associatedwith theirmovements was not always clear-cut, andthey argued that association was legitimate whenchildren simply faced no better options. Severalparticipants mentioned situations involving childrenliving insideANSAcampstogetherwiththeirfamilies.In cases where ANSAs are closely intertwined withsupportive communities, disassociation of childrenwouldmeantheirseparationfromtheirparents.OneANSAdelegateemphasizedthatthiswouldgoagainstchildren’srighttoafamilylife.Indeed,whenone,andespeciallyifbothparentsaremembersofanANSA,itmightnotbeeasytofindalternativecaresolutionsfortheir children. Moreover, though the presence ofchildreninsidemilitarycampsmayputthematrisk,itisnot easy to differentiate between what could beconsidered part of a normal family life and whatamounts to association with an ANSA. Likewise, thestatusofchildrenembeddedinmilitarizedcommunitiesor associated with self-defence militia is unclearbecauseof themixedand informalnatureof settingsinvolvingANSAs.Theseparationofmilitaryandcivilianstructures and the division of their roles are oftenblurred. Some participants also raised the status ofchildrenactiveinANSAs’politicaloryouthwings.Itwasunderlinedthatpoliticalactivismdoesnotamounttoassociationwithanarmedforcebut,dependingonthecontext,itmayexposechildrentotheriskofprosecutionor detention or be a stepping stone to militaryrecruitment. ANSA representatives shared theirconcernsabout theseambiguities.Theystatedthat itwould be very difficult for fighters in the field tounderstand the differences between association and use in hostilities andwhy association is prohibited in

Under the Paris Principles, a child associated with an armed force or an armed group refers to: “anypersonbelow18yearsofagewhoisorwhohasbeenrecruitedorusedbyanarmedforceorarmed group in any capacity, including but notlimitedtochildren,boysandgirls,usedasfighters,cooks, porters, messengers, spies or for sexualpurposes.Itdoesnotonlyrefertoachildwhoistakingorhastakenadirectpartinhostilities.”



some circumstances. Additionally, although theymayunderstand the reasons why children are prohibitedfromfighting,spyingorcarryingoutanyotherfunctionon the frontline, their recognition of the risks facingchildren carrying out tasks far from the frontline ismoreproblematic,especially if thesearenon-militarytasks.Inallcases,thebestinterestofthechildmustbethe primary concern in making decisions that mayaffectthem.

C. Challenges to the prevention of recruitment and association

Participants identified two main issues that makecompliance with international norms challenging and which need to be considered when designingprevention strategies: underlying causes and ageassessment.

Underlying causes

ThereareanumberoffactorsthatmaypushchildrentojoinorassociatewithANSAs.Theseincludepovertyandalackofeducationandeconomicopportunities.Insituations of armed conflict, access to basic servicesandemploymentcanbeextremelydifficult,particularlyinareasunderthecontrolofANSAs.Orphans,homelessorothervulnerablechildrenmayseekfoodandshelterfrom ANSAs. In some contexts, parents are politicalprisonersand their childrenhaveno relatives to takecare of them. Children also join ANSAs to escapedomestic violence, forcedmarriage, discriminationor

repression by the State. For instance, one ANSArepresentativesaidthatyouthsinvolvedinlocalpoliticsanddemonstrationsoftentrytojointhemovementforfear of being arrested and ill-treated. Many childrenhavebeensubjectedtoabusewhileindetention,andsomeofthemhavebeensentencedtodeath.AnumberofANSAsalsoexpressedtheconcernthatthechildrenwhotheyturnawaymayberecruitedbyotherarmedactors, including their enemies. Other push factorsinclude political motivation, indoctrination, revengeand family or community pressure. In some cases,communitiescontributeminorstoANSAswhichdefendthem, or are perceived to defend them, against theState or other ANSAs. In other cases, impoverishedparents may encourage their children to join themilitary. Cultural factorsmay also have an influence.Ideas about self-defence are deeply entrenched insomeculturesinmilitarizedenvironments,andboysinparticularmaybeinregularcontactwithweaponsfromanearlyageandusethemtoprovetheirmanhood.

AlthoughANSAsrepresentativesinsistedonthefactthatmuch of their recruitment was unforced, they agreedthatthisshouldnotbeusedasjustificationforacceptingchildrenintotheirranks.Anumberofsuggestionsweremadetopreventchildrenfromjoininginthefirstplace.First, it was stressed that children should receiveexplanations of why they are not welcome in ANSAs’armedforces,includingthroughthemediaandviapublicpronouncementsmadebyANSAs.Second, familiesandcommunitiesshouldbetaughtaboutinternationalnormsanddiscouragetheirchildrenfromjoiningANSAs.Childprotectionorganizationsalsohavean importantroletoplayandshouldworkwithcommunitiestooffercrediblealternativesolutionstocareforandprotectchildren,andprovide them with livelihoods. Although the ANSAspresentagreedthatchildrenshouldnotberecruitedorforcefully associated with them, some neverthelessexpressed reservations about disassociating children iftherewerenobetteroptionsavailabletothem(suchasorphansorchildrenlivingwiththeirANSAparents).

Weestablishedschoolstoprevent childrenfromjoiningthearmedmovement.Youcannotsaytothechildwholefthis familytogobacktothesameareawithoutgivinghimanalternative an ANSA representative

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An ANSA representative participating in Geneva Call’s meeting via Skype, November 2016. ©GenevaCall

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Age assessment

Many ANSAs described the difficulties involved inverifyingtheageofrecruitsastheyoftenhaveneitherofficial identify cards, birth certificates nor any otherdocumentaryevidenceof their age (schooldiplomas,medicalrecords,etc.).Intheabsenceofsuchobjectivemeans of identification, several alternative methodscanbeusedtoestimateaperson’sage:

• Medical assessments and physical examinations(teeth,bones,height,weight,hair,sexualmaturation)areveryintrusiveandshouldbeavoided.

• Psychologicalanddevelopmentalassessmentsshouldbecarriedbyexpertswith specialized knowledgeof childdevelopment,suchaspaediatricians,socialworkersandpsychologists–expertsrarelyavailableforANSAs.

• Age assessments using interviews and localknowledgeandinformationareconsideredthemostpreferable. By conducting interviews about familystructure and schooling with the individual and,whenfeasible,withrelativesorcommunitymembers,ageclaimscanbecross-checked.Insomecontexts,itispossibletouselocalknowledge.Peopleinterviewedmay not remember birth dates, but they mayrememberthememorableeventsthatoccurredthatyear(famine,war,naturaldisasters,etc.).

None of these methods can determine a person’s exactage.Toreducethemarginoferror,ANSAswererecommended to adopt amultidisciplinary approach,wherefeasible,inordertotriangulateinformation.At aminimum,thisshouldincludedocumentchecksand/or cross-checking with family members, communitymembersandotherinapositiontoknowtheageofthepotential recruit. Ideally, age assessment processesshouldbeundertakenbyagroupofdesignatedpersonswith different skills (doctors, psychologists, teachers,etc.).

Child protection specialists also highlighted theimportanceoffocussingonchildren’struechronologicalages (measured in years from the moment of birth),rather than merely on their biological age (physicalappearance),psychologicalage(maturityandbehaviouralcapacities) or social age (roles and responsibilitiesexpectedinasocietyorculture)asthesedefinitionsofagecanbemisleading.Forexample,achildcanlooktallforhis/herageandappear tobeverymaturewhen infacthe/sheisunder18yearsofage.

Althoughthefulfilmentofallthesestandardsmaynotberealisticinsomecontexts,theresponsibilitytoverifythatrecruitsarenotunderagerestswithANSAs.Shouldtherestillbedoubtastowhetherthepersonisachildor an adult after the assessment, then the personshouldnotbe recruitedand thebenefitof thedoubtshouldfavourthebestinterestsofthechild.

During the discussion, several ANSAs representativesexpressed their agreementwith these standards andtheapproachrecommended.OneANSArepresentativementionedthathismovementhadestablishedafour-person committee, headed by a medical doctor andtasked with assessing the age of recruits in cases ofdoubt. Another ANSA representative stated that hisgroup assessed educational levels and cross-checkedinformationwith local communities inorder tomakesurethatrecruitswere18yearsoldorabove.However,itwasquestionedwhetherallANSAshadmulti-skilled

Age assessment standards and safeguards: - Age assessment processes should only beundertaken as ameasureof last resort,whenthere is serious doubt about the person’s ageanddocumentaryevidencecertifying thedateofbirthiseitherunavailableornotcredible.Incaseofdoubt,theindividualshouldalwaysbetreatedasachild.

- Age assessment processes should make thebest interest of the child their primaryconsideration and maintain a friendly, child-centredperspective.

- Age assessment should be applied withoutdiscrimination.

- Ageassessment shoulduse the least intrusivemethodavailable, respect theperson’sdignityand physical integrity at all times and beappropriatetotheperson’sgenderandculture.

- The individual should give his/her informedconsent and receive any relevant informationabout the assessment proceedings and theirpotentialconsequences.

- Theindividualshouldhaveaguardianappointedto help him/her through the age assessmentprocedure.

- The individualshouldhavetheright toappealagainsttheoutcomeoftheageassessment.



persons available for these tasks. Small ANSAs, withlimitedresources,maynothavethesameadministrativecapacitiesasde factoauthoritiesthathaveestablishedstablecontroloverterritoryandgoverningstructures.Intheabsenceofexperts,ageassessmentsshouldbecarried out by designated focal persons who havereceivedtrainingontheissueandwhoknowthelocalcultureandcontext.

Several ANSAs asked for additional guidance, andparticularly training, on age assessment methods.Furthermore,theneedsforspecifictrainingtoolswereidentified, including on how to communicate withchildren,aswellasonreportingmechanismsrelatedtothe presence of children in the ranks. One ANSArepresentativesuggestedthedevelopmentofamobilephoneapplication(similartoGenevaCall’sFighter not Killer Apphttp://fighternotkiller.org)sothateverybodycould have access to it and learn how to conduct aproper age assessment. It was highlighted, however,that an application could only provide theoreticalknowledge and that scenarios would need to beadapted to each context and culture in order to beuseful. Itwasalso recommended thatANSAsappointfocal persons for age assessment, with the properexpertise, and develop their own age assessmentprotocol and standard procedures, and disseminatethemtotheirmembers. D. Release and Reintegration

Childreleaseistheprocessofcompletedisassociationofchildrenfromanarmedforceoranarmedgroup.Itcan be formal,with the involvement of a third partycoordinatingtherelease,oritcanbemorespontaneousinsituationssuchaswhenchildrenescape,areallowed

toleave,areabandonedbycommanders,arecapturedor are rescued by other actors during hostilities. Theprocess includes a number of steps: assessing if theconditions are right for a release, putting in placecoordination mechanisms and release protocols,establishing eligibility criteria, drawing up lists ofeligible children, conducting screening, handingchildrenovertoachildprotectionagency,carryingoutregistration, providing reintegration, orientation andreferralservices,andtracingandreunitingfamilies,aswellascarryingoutalternativecare.

Some participants in the meeting underlined theimportance of ensuring that children are releasedsafely.Theyshouldnotonlyhaveaplacetogo,buttheyshouldnotbeatriskwhentheygetthere(arrestandprosecutionbytheState, reprisalsbyotherANSAsorcommunitymembers,etc.).IncaseswhereANSAsareunabletoreleasechildrensafely, theyshouldrequestformalassistance fromspecializedagenciesandhandoverthechildrentothem.SeveraloftheANSAspresenthaddonesoinpastyears.Furthermore,itwasstressedthatinprinciple,releaseshouldalwaysbeaccompaniedbysupportforthechild’sreintegrationintocivilianlife,especiallyintermsofpsychosocialsupport,education,jobopportunities,assoforth.This isparticularlytrueforchildrenwithnofamilyorguardian.Ifreintegrationoptionsareunavailable,thechildmaybere-recruitedorjoinanotherANSA.

Various obstacles to safe release and the successfulreintegrationofchildrenwereidentified.SeveralANSAshighlightedthatachildwhohadbeenamemberofanANSA might have had access to sensitive militaryinformation and might be captured by the State oranother enemy of the ANSA concerned after his/her

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Demobilization of child soldiers by an ANSA, Syria.©GenevaCall

http://fighternotkiller.org


release.ThiswouldnotonlybeariskforthesafetyofthechildbutalsofortheANSAitself,shouldthechilddisclose that sensitive information. Before rejoiningtheir families or their future place of residence,demobilized children often have to pass through atransitandorientationcentre.SomeANSAsexpressedtheir lack of trust in centres run by governmentauthoritiesoragenciesperceivedasaffiliatedwiththegovernment.Oneexamplewasgivenofatransitcentrethat lookedmore like a detention centre andwas illprepared to welcome demobilized children. AnotherexamplewasatransitcentrerunbyanNGOaffiliatedwithanethnicgroupthatoneparticularANSAwasinconflict with. The ANSA did not trust the NGO andfearedthatanychildrenreleasedfromitsrankswouldface discrimination in the centre. In every case, theANSAsclaimedthatthesenegativeexperienceswouldmake them reluctant to release children in similarcircumstances.

Toensureasustainablereintegrationprogramme,oneguaranteeingeachchildasuccessful returntocivilianlife,requiressufficientresourcesoverseveralyears.Yetfinding support, whether financial or otherwise, forchild releaseandreintegration inconflict settingshasoften proved challenging. One ANSA representativeexplained how his movement had provided its ownbasiceducationservicesfordemobilizedchildren,withlittle or no international support. Another ANSArepresentative echoed this frustration by describingthecaseofdisassociatedchildrenwhichhisgrouphadaimed to reunite with their families. The ANSA wasunsuccessful in its attempts to attract support fromvariousNGOs.

Representatives of the child protection organizationsdescribed the financial constraints which they oftenface, particularly due to the difficulty in maintainingdonorinterestoverlongperiodsoftime.Theyarethusoftenunabletotakecareofdemobilizedchildren,andincertainareastherearenoalternatives.Furthermore,in certain contexts, child protection agencies facesignificant obstacles to securing the access (due tosecurity, government restrictions, etc.) which wouldhelp them support the release and reintegrationprocess.

Children living with their families in militarizedcommunities create a particular set of challenges interms of release or disassociation. One ANSA

representative explained that his movement did notwanttosendchildrenawayaspartofadisarmament,demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processbecause the parents were ANSA members livingtogether in the same camps. To avoid families beingsplit up, his movement insisted on a “normalizationprocess”duringwhichweaponswereput“beyonduse”andcommunitieswerethusdemilitarized.

Moreover, the psychosocial aspect of reintegratingchildren into their communities should not beunderestimated, particularly when children haveexperiencedtraumaticsituationsorarestigmatizedintheir own society. Children brainwashed or abductedby “extremist” groups are deeply affected and needspecializedcare.

Intermsofwaysforward,participantsunderlinedtheimportanceofall stakeholders—ANSAs,communities,childprotectionorganizationsand,asmuchaspossible,the States concerned—working together for the safereturnofchildrentocivilian life.TheANSAsandchildprotectionagenciespresentatthemeetingagreedontheneedtoreinforcecooperationonthepreventionofrecruitment, reintegration processes and support toeducationsystemsinordertooffertrueopportunitiesandlivelihoodstochildrenoncetheywereawayfromarmed actors. The best solution for reintegration iswhenchildrencanreturnhomeassoonaspossible.Inthisregard,familiesandcommunitiesarekeypillarsofsuccessfulreintegration:theirparticipationandsupportare critical, especially to ensure that children are notostracizedorsubjecttoretaliation.Itisimportantthatnotonlydemobilizedchildrenbutalsotheirhostfamilies and communities, benefit from the process in terms of medical, economic, psychosocial andeducational support. Finally, participants highlightedthe importance of having DDR programmes that aretrulyadaptedtodifferentlocalcontexts,addressingtheroot causesofwhy children joinedANSAs in thefirstplace and providing a strong protective environmentwitharobustmonitoringmechanisminplace.

Wemustmakesurethatthecommunities aresupportingthereintegrationof children.Ifthereisnoacceptance, itwillbeincrediblydifficult

an NGO representative

“”



A. Aid and care

The needs of children affected by armed conflict are often acute. Basic services such as education,healthcareandsocialwelfareareoftenlacking,whichmay lead children to join fighting forces. ANSAs canplay a positive role and, indeed, they have theresponsibilitytoaddressthehumanitarianneedsofthechildrenlivinginareasundertheircontrol.UnderIHL,allpartiestoarmedconflict,includingANSAs,mustdoeverythingfeasibletoprovidechildren“withthecareand aid they require”. This includes access to food,shelter,healthcareandeducationand,ifpossible,sportandleisureactivities.Incaseswheretheyareunabletomeetsuchrequirementsthemselves,partiestoarmedconflict should, at the very minimum, grant rapid and unimpeded access to impartial humanitarianorganizations.

The participants in the meeting identified two mainchallenges to fulfilling these responsibilities: lack ofresources and access.

Lack of resources

Several ANSA representatives mentioned the effortsmade by their humanitarian wing or civilianadministrationtorunschoolsand/orproviderelief topopulations in need living in the areas under theircontrol.Othersdescribedhow themedicalpersonnelwithin their ranksnotonlyprovidehealth services toANSAmembersbutalsosometimestocivilians.Yet,asmentionedinprevioussections,notallANSAshavethecapacity to do this. Many lamented their lack ofresources (both human and material), particularly insituationswhere“embargos”orblockadesimposedbyStatespreventthepassageofessentialgoodsorreliefitems, such as medicine. Moreover, in some cases,publicinfrastructuresuchasschoolsorhospitalshavebeen destroyed or damaged by the conflict, whichfurtherhampers theprovisionof services.Fromtheirperspective, the representatives of child protectionagencies pointed out the constraints and limitationstheir organizations face in terms of the resourcesneeded to reach all the children in need. Theyparticularly highlighted the challenge of findingsufficient, long-term funding for certain contexts thatare no longer in the headlines or a part of donorpriorities.Furthermore,certaindonorsexertpressureonchildprotectionagenciestorunoperationsincertain

areas and not in others, for example, by not givingfundingforprojectsinareasunderthecontrolofANSAsdesignatedas“terroristorganizations”.

Lack of access

Representatives from child protection agenciesemphasizedboththesecurityandpoliticalchallengesfacinghumanitarianaccess.Humanitarianreliefisoftenhighlypoliticizedinnon-internationalarmedconflicts.Parties to armed conflict, whether States, ANSAs orother actors, have denied or restricted access.Manyhumanitarian actors, especially UN agencies, needpermission from the State concerned if theywish tooperate in ANSA-controlled areas. In response to aquestion,onerepresentativeofaUNagencysaidthatitwould only consider cross-border operationswithouttheconsentoftheStateconcernedifauthorizedtodoso by the Security Council. Furthermore, counter-terrorismlegislationcanalsodeterhumanitarianactorsfromengagingindialoguewithANSAs.Thissometimescauseshumanitarianactorstoavoiddirectengagementwith themandonly operate in areaswhere they aresuretofaceneitherlegalnorfundingconsequences.Inaddition to political constraints, volatile securitysituations have made access challenging in manycountries.Insomecases,aidworkersandtheirpropertyhaveevenbeendeliberatelyattacked.

All the participants agreed that humanitarian actorsneed to have the necessary access and securityguarantees to ensure that they can safely conductassistance and protection activities in favour ofchildren.IHLallowspartiestoarmedconflict,includingANSAs, a “right of control” over humanitarian actionconductedontheterritoryundertheircontrol.Yetthisrightofcontrolshouldbeusedneithertodiscriminatebetweenpersonsinneednortodivertordelayaidandcare. ANSA representatives affirmed that they arewillingtoallowaccessandcooperatewithhumanitarian

Theinternationalcommunityisquick tonameandshameusbutwhenitcomestovaccinatingoreducatingourchildrenittakesamuchlongertime an ANSA representative

“”

13CHILDRENLIVINGINTERRITORYCONTROLLEDBYANSAs 3

GenevaCall|Intheirwords:Perceptionsofarmednon-Stateactorsonhumanitarianaction

propaganda, protect children’s identity and promotepeace,toleranceandhumanrights.Thespecialneedsofmarginalizedgroups,suchaspersonswithdisabilities,shouldbetakenintoaccount.Interritoriesundertheircontrol, ANSAsmust try to provide education and, iftheyarenotabletodoso,theyshouldseektocooperatewithrelieforganizationsspecializedinchildprotectionorwithStates.

Duringthediscussion,someANSAmembersmentionedtheir movement’s efforts to provide education forchildrenlivinginareasundertheircontrol.Severalhaveestablished an education department within theirmovement,toruntheprovisionofeducationthemselves.Theyhaveestablishedschoolsandprovidedtrainingandsalariesforteachers7.

OnerepresentativerecountedhowhisANSAhadbeencooperatingwith its adversary government to ensurethatteacherscouldaccessremoteareas.OtherANSAshave formal coordination mechanisms but allowteachersappointedbytheStatetoworkinareasundertheircontrol.Insomecases,ANSAshaveusedaforeignState’scurriculumorintroducednewsubjects,suchastheir ethnic languages, into existing curricula.Furthermore, several representatives reported thattheirANSAhadrehabilitatedschoolsdamagedbytheenemysoastoensurethatchildrencouldcontinuetoreceiveaneducation.

Other representatives mentioned that diplomas fromtheir movement’s schools were not recognized by theState’sgovernmentortheinternationalcommunity.Thisproblemmadeitdifficult forstudentstocontinuetheirstudies or find jobs outside the regions controlled bythoseANSAs.Arelatedchallengeisthelackofqualifiedteachers able to speak an ANSA’s local language, withmanyhavingbeenrecruitedbythegovernmentorhavingleftthecountry.ANSAsmembersalsosaidthatthelackof resourcesandsupportwasamajorchallengetotheprovision of education. Child protection agencieshighlightedthedifficultiestheyface,forvariousreasons,tosecurefundingandaccesstoworkinANSAcontrolledareas. Finally, ongoing hostilities, attacks againsteducationalfacilitiesand/ortheirmilitaryusebyenemyforcesmakesaccesstoeducationevenmorechallengingbecause they discourage parents from sending theirchildrentoschool.

actors.However,somestressedtheyhaddoubtsabouttheneutrality,impartialityandindependenceofcertainorganizations.OneANSAmembergavetheexampleofa humanitarian actor his movement believed wasinvolved in intelligence activities for its enemies. Theimportance of humanitarian organizations upholdinghumanitarian principles was underlined by all theparticipants.Beyondtheirownactions,thequestionofchoosinglocalpartnerswhichalsorespecthumanitarianprincipleswasdiscussed.

Participants agreed that the cooperation betweenANSAs and child protection agencies must beintensified.Tothatend,certainANSArepresentativesstated that their movements had appointed a focalperson or created internal bodies to liaise withhumanitarianactors.Suchmechanismsare importantfor ensuring continuous interaction between ANSAsand humanitarian actors and improving assistance tochildren affected by armed conflict. Several ANSAmembers also expressed the need to have a spacewhere the parties to armed conflict could discusshumanitarianissues,andtheycalledonhumanitarianactors to play an intermediary role should directdialogue be impossible. Other ANSA representativesrestated their call for the international community toincrease pressure on States to permit humanitarianaccessinareasundertheircontrol.

B. Education

Provide and facilitate education

IHL requires that parties to armed conflict providechildrenwiththeaidandcaretheyrequire, includingeducation.Therighttoeducationisalsoafundamentalhumanright.Educationshouldbeaccessible,inclusive,equitableandofsufficientquality.Itshouldbefreeof

Thetwinchallengesofaccessandresourcesoftenleadtoasituationwherehumanitarianorganizationscannotbepresenttoprovideassistance,whereasANSAsdonothavethecapacitytorespondtothecivilianpopulation’sbasicneeds an NGO representative

“

”

7 For details, see the report of PEIC/Geneva Call workshop “Education and armed non-State actors: towards a comprehensive agenda”, available

here https://www.genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/12/Geneva_Call_Paper1.pdf

14 CHILDRENLIVINGINTERRITORYCONTROLLEDBYANSAs 3

https://www.genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/12/Geneva_Call_Paper1.pdf

https://www.genevacall.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/12/Geneva_Call_Paper1.pdf

GenevaCall|Intheirwords:Perceptionsofarmednon-Stateactorsonhumanitarianaction

such time as they do not directly participate inhostilities.Schoolsareprotectedaslongastheyarenotusedformilitarypurposes.However,evenwhenusedformilitarypurposes,schoolsmustnotbeattacked ifthe expected civilian damage would be greater thanthe expected military advantage, and feasibleprecautionsmustalwaysbetakentoavoidorminimizedamage. Representatives of the ANSAs participating in themeetingconsideredgovernmentforcesandtheirallies,aswell as otherANSAs, tobe responsible for attacksagainstschools,andtheycalledformorepressureonStates to end such attacks. They also highlighted thedifficultiestheyfaceinprotectingschools,particularlyfromenemyairstrikes.OneANSAsaidthat ithaddug“foxholes”nearschoolsandtrainedchildreninshelterexercises.AmemberofanotherANSAdescribedhowhismovement had cleared schools and other civilianbuildingscontaminatedwithbooby-trapsandexplosiveremnants of war. Interestingly, it was suggested thatarmed forces should be kept away from schools andthey should be identified with a white flag so as toincreasetheirprotection.OneANSAhasestablishedapolice force to secure villages under its control,includingcivilianbuildingssuchasschools.Incaseslikethis,itwasstressedthatapoliceforceshouldbedistinctfrom a fighting force and should wear a differentuniform.However,severalANSAscautionedthattheydidnothavethecapacitytomaintainsuchaforcetoo,and in the case of an enemy attack, the police forceassigned to protect the school might find itselfparticipatinginhostilities.

There was a general agreement among the ANSAspresent that schools were neutral sanctuaries (likehospitalsorplacesofworship)thatshouldbeprotectedfromhostilities.However,whenquestionedabouthowtheywouldreacttothemilitaryoccupationofaschoolby their enemies, ANSAs’ views differed. One ANSAstatedthatitsforceswouldfirebackiftheywereshotat from a school used as a military shelter. AnotherANSA stated that it would attempt to “liberate” anoccupiedschoolinordertoallowittofunctionagain.Yet another ANSA said itwould engage in hostilities,but only outside of school hours, after sending awarningtostudentsandteacherstoensuretheywerenotinsidethebuilding.Eveniftheschoolwereempty,

Overall, participants stressed the importance ofeducation and that it should be kept safe andfunctioning, even during armed conflict. It was alsoagreed that child protection agencies and ANSAsneeded to cooperate more closely and find ways toincrease support for the provision of educationalservices in areas under ANSA control. Lastly, it wassuggestedthateducationshouldalwaysbeaddressedinpeaceprocessesandthatagreementsonthis issueshould be promoted between national governmentsandANSAs.

Protect education from attacks

According toGCPEA, thousandsof schoolshavebeenattackedworldwide since 2009, often as a deliberatetactic of war. Both States and ANSAs have beenimplicated. The causes are various and sometimesoverlap.Schoolshavebeentargetedbecausetheyhavebeenused,orsuspectedofuse, formilitarypurposesby enemy forces. Another recurrent reason isideological—attacksoccurwhenschoolsareperceivedastoolsforpropagandaorculturalassimilation.Beyondthe risks of death or injury, such attacks have adevastating impact on children’s right to education,leadingtostudentsdroppingout,reducedattendance,fewer enrollments and shortages of teachers due tofearoffutureattacks,alowerqualityofeducationandsoon.UnderIHL,studentsandteachersareprotectedfromattackandthethreatofattackaslongasandfor

A bush school in Karen State, Burma/Myanmar. ©KarenEducationDepartment

15

concern was also expressed about the potentialdamagecausedtothebuilding.SomeANSAssaidthattheywoulddotheirutmostnottoattackaschoolandwouldinsteadwaitfortheenemytoleaveandcontinueanyclashesawayfromit.AfewANSAswentasfarasstatingthattheywouldneverattackaschool,nomatterthesituation.

Avoid use of schools for military purposes

According to GCPEA, schools were used for militarypurposesbynational armed forces,ANSAsandotheractorsinatleast26countriesbetween2005and2015.They were most commonly used as bases, barracks,observation posts, firing positions, interrogation ordetention centres, weapons and ammunition stores,andmilitarytrainingorrecruitmentcentres.Byturningschools into potential military targets, such use not

only endangers children lives but deprives them ofaccess toeducational facilitiesandultimatelyof theirright to education. Students and teachers can comeunderdirectfire;theymayalsobesubjecttophysicaland psychological abuse. Schools may be partially or totally destroyed, and discarded weapons orammunition pose the risk of further dangers forreturningstudents.

In2014,agroupofinternationalexpertsdevelopedtheGuidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict (Guidelines). TheGuidelines are aimed at all parties to armed conflict,both States and ANSAs. Although they acknowledgethat certain uses would not be contrary to IHL, they encourage all parties to endeavour to avoidcompromisingstudents’safetyandeducation.


16 3CHILDRENLIVINGINTERRITORYCONTROLLEDBYANSAs

A student from the Aal Okab school stands amid the ruins of his classroom, destroyed during the conflict, Saada, Yemen.©GilesClarkeforUN-OCHA/GettyImages

Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict:8

1. Functioningschoolsanduniversitiesshouldnotbeusedinanywaybythefightingforcesofpartiestoarmedconflictinsupportofthemilitaryeffort.

2. Schoolsanduniversitiesthathavebeenabandonedorevacuatedbecauseofthedangerspresentedbyarmedconflictshouldnotbeusedbythefightingforcesofpartiestoarmedconflictforanypurposeinsupportoftheirmilitaryeffort,except inextenuatingcircumstanceswhentheyarepresentedwithnoviablealternative,andonlyforaslongasnochoiceispossiblebetweensuchuseoftheschooloruniversityand another feasible method for obtaining a similar military advantage. Other buildings should beregardedasbetteroptionsandusedinpreferencetoschoolanduniversitybuildings,eveniftheyarenotso conveniently placed or configured, except when such buildings are specially protected underInternationalHumanitarianLaw(e.g.hospitals),andkeepinginmindthatpartiestoarmedconflictmustalwaystakeallfeasibleprecautionstoprotectallcivilianobjectsfromattack.

3. Schoolsanduniversitiesmustneverbedestroyedasameasureintendedtodeprivetheopposingpartiestothearmedconflictoftheabilitytousetheminthefuture.Schoolsanduniversities—betheyinsession,closedforthedayorforholidays,evacuatedorabandoned—areordinarilycivilianobjects.

4. Whiletheuseofaschooloruniversitybythefightingforcesofpartiestoarmedconflictinsupportoftheirmilitaryeffortmay,dependingonthecircumstances,havetheeffectofturningitintoamilitaryobjectivesubject to attack, parties to armed conflict should consider all feasible alternative measures beforeattacking them, includingwarning the enemy in advance that an attackwill be forthcoming unless itceases its use.

5. Thefightingforcesofthepartiestoarmedconflictshouldnotbeemployedtoprovidesecurityforschoolsand universities, except when alternative means of providing essential security are not available. Ifpossible, appropriately trained civilian personnel should be used to provide security for schools anduniversities.Ifnecessary,considerationshouldalsobegiventoevacuatingchildren,studentsandstafftoasaferlocation.

6. Thepartiestoarmedconflictshould,asfaraspossibleandasappropriate,incorporatetheseGuidelinesinto their doctrine, military manuals, rules of engagement, operational orders, and other means ofdissemination,toencourageappropriatepracticethroughoutthechainofcommand.

8 http://protectingeducation.org/sites/default/files/documents/guidelines_en.pdf

SeveralANSAspresentatthemeetingmentionedthat,asamatterofpolicy,theydonotuseschoolsformilitarypurposes,evenifabandoned,inordertoprotectthemfromenemyattacks.Onerepresentativesaidthatthispolicywasincludedinaceasefireagreementbetweenhis group and its opposing government. Moreover,eleven participating ANSAs have pledged, under theGenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment,“toavoidusingformilitarypurposesschoolsandpremisesprimarilyusedbychildren”(Article7).

Duringthediscussion,itwasgenerallyagreedthattheGuidelines were a useful tool and should be further

disseminated in thefield.SomeANSAsregrettedthatthere was no enforcement or sanction mechanismavailable,aswellasnoestablishedsystemofreparationsfor rebuilding damaged or destroyed schools. TheGuidelinesareendorsedonavoluntarybasisandit isup to each party to set up accountability measures.SomeANSArepresentativesaskedquestionsabouttheGuidelines’ relation to IHL, since some of theirprovisionsgobeyond IHL.Theyalsosoughtclarityonpracticalissues,suchashowfaramilitarybaseshouldbefromaschool.ItwasmadeclearthattheGuidelinesare not legally binding but rather were examples ofgood practices, serving as a guide to facilitate


17

http://protectingeducation.org/sites/default/files/documents/guidelines_en.pdf

http://protectingeducation.org/sites/default/files/documents/guidelines_en.pdf


compliancewithexisting law.Theiraim is tomakeallthepartiestoarmedconflictawareoftheimportanceofgivingspecialprotectiontoeducationalfacilitiesandto encourage them to take all feasible measures toavoidschoolsbeingdamagedandceasingtofunction.Asimpleexamplewastorelocatetrainingformilitaryforcesfromschoolstootherlocations.

Asawayforward,itwassuggestedthatANSAsshouldincludetheGuidelinesintheirinternalcodesofconductandtrainingcurricula,disseminatethemwidelywithintheirarmedforcesandmonitortheirimplementation.

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An expert from GCPEA presenting the Guidelines at Geneva Call’s meeting, November 2016.©GenevaCall

3CHILDRENLIVINGINTERRITORYCONTROLLEDBYANSAs


A. International accountability mechanisms

Arangeofmechanismshasbeenestablishedtopreventandend violations against children in armed conflict.Themeetingaddressedthefollowingones:

• TheUNMonitoring and ReportingMechanism andActionPlansystem

• GenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict

• TheInternationalCriminalCourt

The UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) and Action Plan system

The UN Security Council has been addressing issuesrelated to children affected by armed conflict since1999andhassinceissued11resolutionsonthistheme.In1996,themandateofSpecialRepresentativeoftheSecretary-GeneralforChildrenandArmedConflictwascreated to serve as the leading UN advocate for theprotectionofchildrenaffectedbyarmedconflict.Intheearly2000s,theSecurityCouncilaskedtheSecretary-Generaltolistthepartiestoarmedconflictwhichwererecruitingandusingchildrenandtoengageindialoguewiththemtodeveloptime-boundActionPlansaimedathaltingtheseviolations.

A monitoring and reporting mechanism (MRM) wasestablished in 2005 to document the recruitment anduse of child soldiers and other grave violations againstchildren(killingandmaimingofchildren,rapeandotherformsofsexualviolenceagainstchildren,attacksagainstschoolsandhospitals,denialofhumanitarianaccessandabduction of children). The MRM is active in countrysituations where parties to armed conflict are listed foroneormoreviolations.9Theinformationiscollectedand verified by a country task force composed of UNagencies and NGOs. So far 24 listed parties (11governmentforcesand13ANSAs)havesignedanActionPlan.EachActionPlaniscontext-specific,buttheyofteninclude implementation measures such as issuingcommandorders,amendingcodesofconduct,releasingchildren from the ranks and providing child protectionactorswithunimpededaccesstomilitarycamps.OnceanAction Plan has been completed and violations haveended,apartytoaconflictmaybeeligiblefordelisting.

DialoguewithANSAsmusttakeplacewithinthecontextofpeaceprocessesandthecooperationframeworkinplacebetweentheUNandthegovernmentconcerned.This has proved challenging in countries where thegovernmenthasbeenreluctanttoallowthesignatureof an Action Plan with an ANSA or has obstructedaccess for monitoring its compliance. During themeetingtwolistedANSAswhichhadexperiencedthisexpressed their frustration that an adversarygovernment could arbitrarily obstruct their delistingprocess.

Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict

In 2010, Geneva Call developed an innovativemechanism—theDeed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict (Deed of Commitment). As ANSAs cannot become parties tointernational treaties, this mechanism allows them toexpress their pledge to respect international standardsrelating to children and armed conflict and to be heldpubliclyaccountable.BysigningtheDeed of Commitment,ANSAs agree to prohibit the recruitment and use inhostilities of children under 18 years old, ensure thattheyarenot forciblyassociatedwitharmed forcesandsafelyreleasechildrenrecruitedpreviously.TheDeed of Commitment also contains positive obligations forANSAs,suchasprotectingchildrenlivinginareasundertheir control from the effects of military operations,providing themwith theaidandcare theyneed (food,shelter,healthcare,education,etc.)andavoidingtheuseofschoolsformilitarypurposes.TheDeed of Commitment is accompanied by an implementation plan andmonitoredbyGenevaCall (andassociatedpartners) toensurecompliance.

Since2010,GenevaCallhasengagedindialoguewithabout 50 ANSAs on child protection. 19 of them,including11ANSAspresentatthemeeting,havesignedthe Deed of Commitment.Forthemostpart,signatorygroups have abided by their commitments, eventhough there have been cases of persistent childrecruitmentanduseinhostilities.

9 Parties are listed after the UN has documented recurrent violations over a certain period of time

19 ANSAs’COMMITMENTSTOCHILDPROTECTION4

Although Geneva Call is independent of the MRMsystem,ithassoughttocomplementUNinitiativesbyengagingwithANSAswithwhich theUN’saccesshasbeen hampered by government restrictions. Signingthe Deed of Commitmentdoesnot result indelisting,but itmay facilitate future engagementwith the UNandpavethewayfortheconclusionofActionPlans,asdemonstrated in the case of the Sudan People’sLiberationMovement-North (SPLM-N), a signatory tothe Deed of Commitment(seephotobelow).

The International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was created byStates in order to prosecute individuals for theinternationalcrimesofgenocide,crimesagainsthumanityand war crimes. The ICC is intended to complementexisting national judicial systems and, therefore, it canonlyexerciseitsjurisdictionwhencertainconditionsaremet,suchaswhennationalcourtsareunwillingorunabletoprosecutecriminalsorwhentheUNSecurityCouncilorindividualStatesreferinvestigationstoit.TheICCbeganfunctioningon1July2002,thedateonwhichtheRomeStatuteenteredintoforce.

The Rome Statute recognizes the conscription,enlistmentanduseofchildrenundertheageof15foractiveparticipationinhostilitiesasawarcrime.Italsocriminalizes the forcible transfer of children, childtraffickingandcrimesthatparticularlyaffectchildren,such as attacks on schools. Since 2012, attention oncrimesagainstchildrenhasbeenelevatedtooneofsixstrategicgoalsintheOfficeoftheProsecutor’sStrategicPlan.

Todate,avarietyofcasesconcerningcrimesaffectingchildrenhasbeenbroughtbeforetheICC.2012sawthefirst and landmark sentencing of Thomas LubangaDyilo, the former leader of the rebel Union of CongolesePatriots,to14yearsofimprisonmentfortherecruitment and use of children under 15 years old.Sincethen,Jean-PierreBemba,leaderoftheCongoleseLiberationMovement(MLC),wassentencedto18yearsinprisonbytheICC.Thiscaseillustratedthatmilitarycommandersareresponsiblenotonlyforcrimestheyorderdirectlybut also for crimes committedby theircombatantsiftheyknewaboutthemandfailedtotakethenecessarymeasurestopreventtheircommissionorpunishtheindividualsresponsible.

B. Practical measures to ensure compliance

MostoftheANSAspresentatthemeetinghavealreadycommittedthemselvestoprohibitingchildrecruitmentand use in hostilities, either by signing Geneva Call’sDeed of CommitmentoranActionPlanwiththeUNorthrough other measures (unilateral declaration,MemorandumofUnderstanding,etc.).Althoughsuchcommitments indicate an agreement to abide byinternational standards, enforcing compliance hasoften proved challenging and required concreteimplementation measures, as well as constantmonitoringandcorrectiveactions.

One major risk factor that may lead to violations oftheir commitments is the weakness of ANSAs’command and control structures. Numerous ANSAsmentioned that they experienced difficulties inensuringcomplianceduetothelackofunderstandingandacceptanceofinternationalstandardswithintheir


20

Malik Agar, SPLM-N Chairman (first from the right); Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative for the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (in the middle) and Abdullah A. Fadil, UNICEF Sudan Representative (first from the left) signing an Action Plan to End the Recruitment and Use of Children, 23 November 2016, Geneva. ©UN/ViolaineMartin

ANSAs’COMMITMENTSTOCHILDPROTECTION4

movements.Thereareoftensignificantgapsbetweentheleadershipatheadquarterslevelandtherankandfile.Fieldcommandersarenotnecessarilyfamiliarwithinternationalstandards,noraretheyconvincedoftheirrelevance, particularly where enemy forces are alsonon-compliant.Politicalwilltoaddressviolationsmayalsobelacking.OnlytwooftheANSAspresentatthemeetingreportedhavingimposeddisciplinarysanctionsagainstofficerswhohadrecruitedorabusedchildreninbreachofinternalpolicies.

AnotherchallengeisthepracticaldifficultywhichsomeANSAs facewhen trying to communicatewith all theircommandersacrosstheirregions,especiallywhenunitsare highly mobile or are operating in remote areas.Several ANSAs admitted to internal communicationbreakdownsintheirchainsofcommand.Theyparticularlyhighlighted the fact that no focal points had beenappointed within their armed wings to monitorimplementation, a factor which limits or hinders thecapacity to verify allegations of violations effectively.Several ANSA representatives also mentioned theirdifficulties, in the absence of identify cards or otherdocumentary records, in assessing the age of recruits.Interviewsaresometimescarriedoutwithrelatives,butthisisnotalwayspossible. In response to these challenges, a number of ANSAsprovided positive examples of measures that haveeffectively promoted compliance. One ANSA explainedthat it used annual gatherings at headquarters todisseminateinternationalstandardstothetroops.OtherANSAs said that they had appointed focal persons orcommittees dedicated to child protection issues. Onehad established a monitoring committee composed ofseniormilitaryofficers,responsibleforinspectingmilitarycamps, recruitment centres and front lines, forinvestigatingallegationsofviolationsandforsanctioningofficers responsible for these violations.AnotherANSAsaidthatithadhandedoveracommander,responsibleforsexualabuseagainstachild,totheStateauthoritiesas it lacked the capacity to try the perpetrator inaccordancewithinternationalstandards.

Inaddition,severalANSAshaveissuedcommandordersoramendedtheircodesofconducttoincludeprovisionson the prohibition of child recruitment and use inhostilities.Suchinternalrulescanplayaneffectiveroleinensuringcompliance.Theyare,however,onlyeffectiveifdisseminatedandunderstoodbytherankandfile.Inthisregard,severalANSAsexplainedhowtheyhadadapted

GenevaCalltrainingmaterialtotheirownorganization’spracticeandhaddistributed themwith their logo.Thisappeared to have beenwell received since it providedinternal ownership of the standards put in place.Translation into local languages is also key, as theterminologyusedcanbehardtounderstand.

TheANSAparticipantsagreedthattherewasaneedforthem to take further implementation measures. Asmany rank-and-filemembersare simplynotawareofthe relevantnorms, itwas recognized that therewas a need for ANSAs themselves to increase thedisseminationofchild-relatedinternationalrules,withthesupportofGenevaCallandotherchildprotectionactors. Continuous advocacy and training at all levels of military hierarchies were necessary, particularly for military commanders. The need to further raise the awareness of communities was also stressed.Traditional and religious leaders, elders and teachershaveparticularlyimportantrolestoplayindiscouragingchildren from joining ANSAs and preventingrecruitment.Finally,humanitarianorganizationsshouldcontinuetoengagewithANSAsandbemorepresentinthefieldtomonitorandtosupportcompliance.

ItwasalsosuggestedthatthepositiveactionstakenbyANSAs to protect children should receive greateracknowledgementandbereportedataninternationallevel,forexampleintheUNSecretary-General’sannualreportsonchildrenandarmedconflict.

Wearereadytocooperatewithanyrelevanthumanitarianorganizationtomonitorourcampsandtocheckiftherearechildrenpresentandifyes,tofind outwhytherearehere an ANSA representative

“

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A representative of a local partner organization speaking at Geneva Call’s meeting, November 2016. © Geneva Call

• In cooperation with child protection experts,establish processes to screen allmembers so as toidentify and facilitate the release of any childrenunder18yearsold

• Create internal bodies that can liaise withhumanitarianorganizationstofacilitatetheprovisionofaidandcareforchildreninneed

• Allowunhindered access to impartial humanitarianorganizations for the provision of aid and care tochildren and for monitoring compliance withinternationalstandards

• Establish monitoring committees (composed ofsenior military officers) dedicated to inspectingmilitary camps, recruitment centres and the frontlineandtoreportinganycasesofchildrecruitmentanduseinhostilitiestotheleadership

• Investigate all credible allegationsof violations andtake appropriate disciplinary measures against theperpetrators,inlinewithinternationalstandards

• Seek technical or legal advice fromGeneva Call orother relevant humanitarian organizations ifnecessary

• Take measures to facilitate or provide qualityeducationandencourageparentstosendchildrentoschool

• Ensure that codes of conduct and internal policiesaddress the protection of education, including theissues of military use of schools and attacks onschools

• Trainmembersofarmedforcesontheprotectionofeducation

• Createmechanismstomonitorandreportattacksonschoolsortheirmilitaryuse,andensureenforcementmechanismsareinplace,includingsanctionsincaseofnon-compliance

• Consider theGuidelines for Protecting Schools andUniversitiesfromMilitaryUseduringArmedConflict(Guidelines) as a tool to avoid any military use ofschools and consider integrating them in internalcodesofconduct,trainingcurriculaanddisseminationmaterials

• Seek advice from and cooperation with relevantactorssoastoenhancetheprotectionofeducation

• Wherepossible,cooperatewiththeconcernedStateonrecognitionofcurriculaanddiplomas

Recommendations to ANSAs:

• Publicly commit toprohibiting the recruitmentanduse in hostilities of children under 18 years old(throughGenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment, aUNActionPlanorothermeasures)

• Seek dialogue with the UN for the purpose ofdevelopping and implementing Actions Plan(especiallythoselistedthroughtheMRM)

• Issue command orders on the prohibition of childrecruitmentanduseinhostilities

• Incorporate provisions on the prohibition of childrecruitment and use in hostilities, and on thesanctions in case of non-compliance, into existingcodes of conduct, legislation or other relevantinternalregulations

• Useexistingorganizationalstructure,suchasannualgatherings at headquarters, to communicate andexplainpoliciesontheprohibitionofchildrecruitmentanduseinhostilities

• Educatemembers(startingwithmilitarycommandersand officers) about the prohibition of childrecruitmentanduseinhostilitiesandincludethisinmilitarytrainingprogrammes

• Translate policies prohibiting child recruitment anduseintolocallanguagesanddisseminatethemwidelyto the rank and file as well as to communities topromoteunderstandingandacceptance

• Discouragechildrenfromjoiningorassociatingwiththearmedforces,includingthroughfamilies,mediaand public appeals, and explain why they are notwelcomeinthosearmedforces

• Prohibit the forced association of children, ensuremaximum protection for voluntarily associatedchildrenanddisassociatethemasmuchaspossiblefromthearmedforces

• Appoint dedicated focal persons or committees onchild protection, whose role could include trainingand raising awareness on the prohibition on childrecruitment and use in hostilities, liaison withhumanitarian organizations, conducting ageassessments, monitoring implementation, and soforth

• Integrate age verification mechanisms intorecruitment procedures and disseminate them toensure that children under 18 years old are notrecruited—theresponsibilityforestablishingtheageof recruits lies with the recruiter and, in cases ofdoubt,individualsshouldnotberecruited


22 MEETINGRECOMMENDATIONS5

Recommendations to humanitarian organizations (the UN and NGOs)

• IntensifyengagementwithANSAsonchildprotectionand other humanitarian issues and ensure a fieldpresence tomonitor and support their compliancewithinternationalstandards

• IntensifyadvocacyandpressureonconcernedStatestoallowaccesstoANSAsforthepurposesofenteringintodialogueon childprotection,assisting childrenlivinginareascontrolledbyANSAareas,supportingtheir demobilization and release and monitoringcompliancewithinternationalstandards

• Wherepossible,facilitatehumanitarianagreementsbetweenpartiestoarmedconflict

• Strengthen support for efforts aimed at addressingthe root causes of recruitment and association ofchildren (such as domestic violence, a lack oflivelihoodopportunitiesoraccesstoeducation)andprovidingthemwithsustainablealternatives

• Provide ANSAs with guidance and training on ageassessment methods

• Increaseassistancetochildreninneedlivinginareascontrolled by ANSAs, including support for theirreintegration following release, in order to ensuretheirsafetyandtoavoidre-recruitment

• Acknowledge the positive actions which ANSAsundertaketoprotectchildren

• Raisecommunityleaders’awarenessofinternationalstandardsandencouragethemtodissuadechildrenfrom joining or associating with armed forces andarmedgroups

• Continue advocacy for the better protection ofeducationbyallpartiestoarmedconflict

• WorkwithStatesthathaveendorsedtheSafeSchoolsDeclarationtowardseffectiveimplementationoftheGuidelines

• Strengthenmonitoringand reportingonattacksoneducationandthemilitaryuseofschoolsandensureaccuracy

• Increase support for the provision of education inareascontrolledbyANSAs

• Ensure that peace processes address educationalissues

• StrengthensupportforcommunitiesintheprovisionofeducationandthedisseminationoftheGuidelines


23


24 ANNEXES

14:00–17:00Registration

17:30–18:00Opening remarks• Elisabeth Decrey Warner,ExecutivePresident,GenevaCall• Raphael Nägeli,DeputyHeadoftheHumanSecurityDivision, SwissFederalDepartmentofForeignAffairs

• Hans Brattskar,AmbassadorandPermanentRepresentative ofNorwaytotheUnitedNationsandOtherInternationalOrganizationsinGeneva

• Jean-Marc Hoscheit, AmbassadorandPermanentRepresentative oftheGrandDuchyofLuxembourgtotheUnitedNationsandother InternationalOrganizationsinGeneva

Keynote speaker: • Leila Zerrougui,SpecialRepresentativeoftheSecretary-General forChildrenandArmedConflict

18:00–19:00Reception

MONDAY,21NOVEMBER2016

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GRA

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OPENING CEREMONY


25

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E 8:00–9:00Registration

9:00–9:20Introduction, Pascal Bongard,GenevaCall

9:20–11:00SESSION 1: International mechanisms to protect children in armed conflict • GenevaCall’sDeed of Commitment for the Protection of Children

from the Effects of Armed Conflict, Carolin Nehmé,GenevaCall• Childrenandarmedconflict:theUnitedNationsframeworkandmechanisms,

Nelly Sabarthes and Li Fung,OfficeoftheSpecialRepresentativeoftheSecretary-GeneralforChildrenandArmedConflict

(OSRSGCAAC)• Opendiscussion• TheroleoftheInternationalCriminalCourtinensuringaccountability forviolationsagainstchildren,Professor Paola Gaeta,GraduateInstitute ofInternationalandDevelopmentStudies

• Opendiscussion 11:00–11:30Coffee Break

11:30–12:30SESSION 2: The psycho-social consequences of armed conflict on children• Expertbriefingonchilddevelopmentandpsycho-socialeffectsofexperiencingandwitnessingviolence,Victoria Whitaker,WarChildUK

• Opendiscussion 12:30–14:00Lunch Break

14:00–16:00SESSION 3: Assistance to children affected by armed conflict • Providing“aidandcare”tochildreninarmedconflict,Carla Ruta,GenevaCall• Workingmethodsofchildprotectionagencies,Ayda Eke,UnitedNationsChildren’sFund(UNICEF)andChristine McCormick,SavetheChildren

• Opendiscussion

16:00–16:30Coffee Break

16:30–18:00SESSION 4: Release and reintegration of children • Expertbriefingonreleaseandreintegrationofchildren,Ibrahim Sesay,UNICEFandChristine McCormick,SavetheChildren

• Community-basedreintegration–thecaseofColombia,Maria Eugenia Mosquera Riascos,Comunidadesconstruyendopazenlosterritorios(CONPAZ)

• Opendiscussion 19:00–22:00Social event (by invitation only)

TUESDAY,22NOVEMBER2016DAY 1


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WEDNESDAY,23NOVEMBER2016


9:00–11:00SESSION 5: Preventing recruitment and use of children in hostilities• Legalframeworkandchallengesforcompliance, Carolin Nehmé,GenevaCall• Workinggroupdiscussions• Reportingfromtheworkinggroups• Opendiscussion


11:30–12:30SESSION 6: Children associated with armed forces and armed groups• Thenotionofassociation,Jonathan Somer, PersonaGrataConsulting• Opendiscussion 12:30–14:00Lunch Break

14:00–16:00SESSION 7: Ensuring compliance with international standards• Practicalmeasuresforimplementationandchallenges,Hichem Khadhraoui, GenevaCall

• Workinggroupdiscussions• Reportingfromtheworkinggroups• Opendiscussion


17:00–17:30SESSION 8: Age assessment• Expertbriefingonmethodsofageassessment, Ibrahim Sesay,UNICEF• Opendiscussion

17:30–19:00Bilateral meetings

DAY 2

ANNEXES


27

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THURSDAY,24NOVEMBER2016


9:00–9:10Introduction, Jonathan Somer,PersonaGrataConsulting

9:10–10:15SESSION 9: Providing, facilitating and protecting education • Measuresthatcanbetakentoprovide,facilitateandprotecteducation,

Peter Klanduch,ProtectEducationinInsecurityandConflict(PEIC)• Opendiscussion

10:15–10:45SESSION 10: Attacks on education • Globalinitiativestopreventattacksoneducation,Gisela Schmidt-Martin, GlobalCoalitiontoProtectEducationfromAttack(GCPEA)

• Opendiscussion


11:15–12:45SESSION 11: Avoiding the use of schools for military purposes• Measurestoavoidschoolsfrombeingusedformilitarypurposes,

Bede Sheppard,GCPEA• Workinggroupsdiscussion• Reportingbackfromworkinggroups 12:45–14:00Lunch Break

14:00–16:00SESSION 12: Summaryofrecommendationsandwaysforward• Presentationofkeyoutcomes,Pascal Bongard,GenevaCall• Opendiscussion

15:45–16:00Closing remarks• Maleiha Malik,ExecutiveDirector,PEIC• Saudamini Siegrist,SeniorAdvisorofchildprotectioninemergencies,UNICEF• Elisabeth Decrey Warner,ExecutivePresident,GenevaCall

DAY 3

List of ANSA participants

COUNTRY NAME ABBREVIATIONS

BURMA/MYANMAR

KarenniNationalProgressiveParty/ KarenniArmy

KNPP/KA

NewMonStateParty/ MonNationalLiberationArmy

NMSP/MNLA

Pa’ONationalLiberationOrganization/ Pa’ONationalLiberationArmy

PNLO/PNLA

RestorationCouncilofShanState/ ShanStateArmy(South)

RCSS/SSA-S

KarenNationalUnion/ KarenNationalLiberationArmy

KNU/KNLA

COLOMBIARevolutionaryArmedForces ofColombia–People’sArmy

FARC-EP

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

AlliancedesPatriotespour unCongoLibreetSouverain

APCLS

INDIA KukiNationalFront KNF

IRANDemocraticPartyofIranianKurdistan PDKI

FreeLifePartyofKurdistan PJAK

LEBANONPalestinianLiberationOrganisation/PalestinianNationalSecurityForces

PLO/PNSF

SUDAN

SudanPeoples’LiberationMovement–North

SPLM-N

SudanLiberationMovement/Army–Minni Minnawi

SLM/A-MM

JusticeandEqualityMovement JEM

SYRIAPeople’sProtectionUnits/ Women’sProtectionUnits/ DemocraticSelf-AdministrationinRojava

YPG/YPJRojavaadministration

THE PHILIPPINESMoroIslamicLiberationFront/ BangsamoroIslamicArmedForce

MILF/BIAF

TURKEYPeople’sDefencesForces/KurdistanWorker’sParty

HPG/PKK

YEMEN Al-Houthimovement/AnsarAllah AnsarAllah/Al-Houthi

Inaddition,threearmedactorsfromIraqparticipatedinthemeeting


28 ANNEXES


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