Human rights instruments and initiatives
Council of Europe
The Preamble to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) describes the close connection between peace and human rights, stating that fundamental freedoms are:
the foundation of justice and peace in the world and are best maintained on the one hand by an effective political democracy and on the other by a common understanding and observance of the Human Rights upon which they depend.
Since 2003, the European Youth Centre has been home to the annual Youth Peace Camp which allows young people and youth organisations from conflict-stricken regions to engage in dialogue and conflict-transformation activities based on human rights education and intercultural learning. The Youth for Democracy programme prioritises the role of youth organisations in peace building and social cohesion.
United Nations
Articles 38 and 39 of the Convention on the Right of the Child concern the rights of children in conditions of armed conflict. Article 38 calls for “all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict”. Article 39 calls for the “physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration” of children who fall victim to any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse or armed conflicts. Of particular concern is the protection of the child from service in armed forces. Article 38 bans children under 15 from participation in direct hostilities; this minimum age was raised to 18 by the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.
The Security Council adopted in 2015 in the Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security which calls on “all relevant actors, including when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, to take into account, as appropriate, the participation and views of youth”, and recognises that “their marginalisation
is detrimental to building sustainable peace in all societies”5. The resolution identifies five areas of action: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnership, and Disengagement and Reintegration.