Description
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC International Law and Child Soldiers 2015 by Gus Waschefort
This book commences with an analysis of the current state of child soldiering internationally. Thereafter the proscriptive content of contemporary norms on the prohibition of the use and recruitment of child soldiers is evaluated so as to determine whether these norms are capable of better enforcement. An issues-based approach is adopted in terms of which no specific regime of law such as international humanitarian law (IHL) is deemed dominant. Instead universal and regional human rights law international criminal law and IHL are assessed cumulatively so as to create a mutually reinforcing web of protection. Ultimately it is argued that the effective implementation of child soldier prohibitive norms does not require major changes to any entity or functionary engaged in such prevention; rather it requires the constant reassessment and refinement of all such entities and functionaries and here some changes are suggested. International judicial quasi-judicial and non-judicial entities and functionaries most relevant to child soldier prevention are critically assessed. Ultimately the conclusions reached are assessed in light of a case study on the use and recruitment of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.