UNICEF Canada

What is the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the  Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC)?

The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) sets out the following rights for all children and youth. Young people should know about these rights if they are thinking of joining the armed forces or related education and training, or have already done so. All young people in Canada have these rights because Canada ratified OPAC on July 07, 2000 and put in place a number of measures to ensure that the recruitment of children and youth is based on full information, not forced or coerced. 

• 18 is the minimum age for compulsory (forced) recruitment
• Youth under age 18 must not participate in fighting or be put in danger of it
• The age for voluntary recruitment into the armed forces should be raised higher than age 15, giving preference to older recruits
• Any voluntary recruitment of youth under age 18 must include special protections 

Find out more about the rights of children and youth related to the military in this brochure developed by UNICEF Canada, YOUCAN and the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children in consultation with the Government of Canada. 

Download and send Get on the Rights side to your friends, family and colleagues!

Join young people from around the world in online discussions on children in armed conflict.