Michael Ring
Ceist:45 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has pursued the issue of child soldiers, as raised by Trócaire. [26507/02]
Written Answers. - Child Soldiers.
The Government attaches great importance to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is central to the protection and promotion of children's rights on a global level. The issue of child soldiers is of particular concern and Ireland has strongly supported international efforts to stop the use of child soldiers.
In this context, I welcome Trócaire's efforts to promote ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.
Ireland has now ratified this optional protocol and the instrument of ratification was deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York on 18 November 2002. The optional protocol is intended to provide greater protection to children in armed conflict. It prohibits compulsory recruitment of persons below 18 years of age into the armed forces. States are also obliged to take all feasible measures to ensure that members of their armed forces under 18 years of age do not take direct part in hostilities.
A declaration by Ireland lodged with the instrument of ratification sets the minimum age at which Ireland permits voluntary recruitment into the Defence Forces at 17 years – except in the case of apprentices who may be recruited at the age of 16 but are not assigned to military duties until they have completed four years of apprenticeship training – and describes the safeguards in place to ensure that recruitment is not forced or coerced. Ireland's position in this regard is in full compliance with the terms of the optional protocol.
The Government places great importance on the implementation of international humanitarian and human rights standards aimed at the protection of the rights of children especially those in conflict situations. The ratification of this important protocol signifies our commitment to make every effort to stop the involvement of children in armed conflict and to bring pressure to end the use of children as soldiers worldwide.
Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 43.