The United States has received praise from several UN officials after yesterday becoming one of the first countries to sign two important optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protect children from being sexually exploited or recruited to fight in wars.
     UN Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette said the action would "undoubtedly inspire other countries to add their names to these instruments." She said, "It is our hope that in due time, the United States will ratify these protocols and of course, ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child."
     To read more on Frechette's comments, click here.
     US President Bill Clinton, who penned his signature to the protocols, said they represented an "international sense of justice" and the belief that "children deserve love and protection." Clinton promised to send both protocols to the US Senate, with the hope they could be ratified this year (UN Newservice, 5 Jul).
     The Senate has refused to ratify the convention itself. The United States signed the convention in 1995, but congressional Republicans oppose it, saying that it infringes on parental responsibility by granting children freedom of religion, expression and association as well as the right to representation in a court of law. Somalia, which lacks a functioning government, is the only other country in the United Nations that has not ratified the convention (Colum Lynch, Washington Post, 6 Jul).

UN Officials Weigh In
     UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy applauded the US move in a statement as an "important endorsement of children's fundamental rights," and described Clinton as "a strong and vocal advocate for the world's children."
     Olara Otunnu, the UN's special representative for children and armed conflict, also said the signing was "especially good news." Otunnu said he hoped the United States now has "renewed interest" in joining the international consensus to protect children.
     The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts limits children's involvement in armed conflicts and raises the age of recruitment into combat from 15 to 18. The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Pornography criminalizes such violations of children's rights, and highlights the importance of increased public awareness and international collaboration to combat the practices (UN Newservice).
     "Every day around the world and even here in the United States, children are sold into virtual slavery or trafficked for the worst forms of sexual abuse," Clinton said. "To give life to our dream of a global economy that lifts all people, first we must stand together for all children," he said (Barbara Crossette, New York Times, 6 Jul).
     According to UNICEF, the United States is only the fifth country to sign both of the new optional protocols, which were adopted by the General Assembly in May. Other nations have that signed the children's armed conflict protocol are Argentina, Cambodia, Canada, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Sweden. Cambodia, Chile, Monaco, Norway and San Marino have signed the protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
     Governments voluntarily decide whether and when to sign, and then ratify, the protocols. UNICEF said yesterday's action brings the United States a step closer to ratifying the convention and ensuring an international human rights standard for children (UNICEF Newsline, 5 Jul).

Ratification Protects US Forces, Children
     Human Rights Watch lauded Clinton for the signing of the armed conflict protocol, and urged the Senate to ratify it as soon as possible. "When US soldiers participate in international peacekeeping operations, they may well find themselves face to face with a 14-year-old carrying an AK-47," said Jo Becker, advocacy director for the children's rights division of Human Rights Watch. "US efforts to stop the use of child soldiers not only helps children internationally, but ultimately, American forces as well."
     Human Rights Watch says that an estimated 300,000 children are now taking part in armed conflicts in more than 30 countries, and has documented children used as combatants in Uganda, Liberia, Angola, Lebanon, Sudan, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone. "Once a child is recruited, their whole future becomes compromised," Becker said. "They're sucked into a cycle of violence, often denied an education or opportunity to learn any practical job skills, and end up maimed, psychologically damaged, or killed. US support for the new protocol will help ensure these kids are protected" (Human Rights Watch release, 5 Jul).