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Το παιδί και το δίκαιο ενόπλων συγκρούσεων (Master thesis)

Καρούμπαλης, Ευστάθιος/ Karoubalis, Efstathios

In the shadow of modern asymmetric wars and global technological interconnectivity, one of the most tragic and alarming phenomena of our time emerges: the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. Far from the older perception of the child as a “collateral victim,” the child-soldier has now become a strategic tool deliberately chosen by both state and non-state actors, within an international environment that fails to ensure effective protection. Beyond its moral dimension, this phenomenon constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and has been criminalized at the international level—yet this has not curbed its spread. This study seeks a comprehensive approach to the core of the issue. Its ultimate aim is to enhance understanding, promote legal and moral accountability, and above all, encourage political action toward eradicating a phenomenon that has no place in a society based on justice and human dignity. To achieve this research goal, the study traces the historical trajectory of the phenomenon, focusing on its modern forms and underlying causes, and reveals its connection to technology, poverty, state failure, and radicalization. Special emphasis is placed on the international legal framework for the protection of children in armed conflicts, which—despite being institutionally adequate—suffers in practice due to political agendas and weak enforcement mechanisms. Through the analysis of case studies (Congo, Sierra Leone, Cambodia), the study highlights the severe psychological, social, and intergenerational consequences faced by child soldiers, as well as the obstacles to their reintegration. The findings point to the urgent need for coordinated international action, strengthened prevention through education and empowerment, and the support of sustainable rehabilitation programs.