The Effectiveness of United Nations Mechanisms on Protecting Children in Armed Conflicts (The Cases of Palestine and Libya)

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the United Nations mechanisms for the protection of children in armed conflicts, taking the cases of Palestine and Libya as examples for the Arab World Countries. Aiming to address the question of the compatibility of United Nations mechanisms with the rules of international humanitarian law in this context. The study included the legal framework of the International Convention and IHL provisions and the Institutional framework of United Nations organs and structures which relate to the protection of children in armed conflicts. The study relied on the analytical descriptive approach, following the IRAC legal methodology, which examines the analysis of legal rules and the extent of their application. The study used the tool of interviews with experts as the key informants, which had been analyzed and compared with literary reviews. The study concluded with a set of results, the most important one is: there is no punishment for the perpetrators of crimes against children in Palestine and Libya due to political considerations. The results showed that Security Council resolutions have a deterrent penalty, but they neither apply in all cases nor in all countries. Moreover, the process is very insufficient and very limited, and the violations are still occurring every day. The study reached several recommendations, the most important of which is developing the international legal framework for the protection of children so that it is more comprehensive to ensure full protection in times of armed conflicts and calling on the United Nations to develop special mechanisms to protect children. As well as, issuing a guide on the rights of children in armed conflicts, and working to oblige countries to teach it within the military curricula in military academies and establishing a global program to compensate child victims of armed conflicts. As well as to activate strictly the related International laws to provide humanitarian services and protection to children and secure corridors and safe havens.