Ireland has not ratified a UN protocol banning the use of child soldiers because of difficulties linked to the recruitment policy of the Defence Forces.
The protocol, which comes into force today, prohibits governments and armed groups from using children under the age of 18 in hostilities. It also bans the compulsory recruitment of under 18s by governments and armed groups.
However, in Ireland the minimum age for joining the Defence Forces is 17. Because almost one quarter of recruits join at this age, the Department of Defence says raising the age limit would have a severe effect on numbers. A Department spokesman stressed yesterday that no 17-year-olds were involved in combat situations.
So far, the protocol has been ratified by 14 countries and signed by 93 countries. However, none of the permanent members of the UN Security Council has ratified the document. To mark today's coming into force of the protocol, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, and other dignitaries will participate in a short ceremony organised by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, a network of NGOs campaigning on this issue worldwide.