Reference is made here to the provisions of international humanitarian law (and of international law applicable to armed conflict in general) that specifically concern children. Provisions relating indirectly to children, such as those relating to family unity, education, expectant mothers and mothers of young children, are also mentioned.
Through the provisions summarized in this table, international humanitarian law (and international law applicable to armed conflict in general) grants children special protection, in addition to the general protection granted to civilians. In cases where children take part in hostilities, they lose the general protection granted to civilians but retain the special protection enjoyed by children.
©ICRC
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