The Policy on Children of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor: Toward Greater Accountability for Crimes against and affecting Children

Abstract

The Policy on Children published by the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor in 2016 represents a significant step toward accountability for harms to children in armed conflict and similar extreme violence. This article describes the process that led to the Policy and outlines the Policy’s contents. It then surveys relevant ICC practice and related developments, concluding that despite some salutary efforts, much remains to be done to recognize, prevent and punish the spectrum of conflicted-related crimes against or affecting children.

Keywords: children, child soldiers, crimes against humanity, genocide, International Criminal Court, war crimes