International Journal of Human Rights
Volume 20, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 567-588

Excluding the most vulnerable: Application of article 1F(a) of the refugee convention to child soldiers (Article)

Bond J.* , Krech M.
  • a University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, New York University School of Law, New York, United States
  • b University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, New York University School of Law, New York, United States

Abstract

Article 1F(a) of the Refugee Convention denies protection to those who commit certain international crimes. In this article we argue that while Article 1F(a) does not contain an explicit ‘exception’ for child soldiers, a lack of international consensus regarding their individual responsibility means they should not be denied refugee protection on the basis of their involvement in international crimes. Such a reading of Article 1F(a) both respects a purposive reading of the Refugee Convention and ensures that some of the world’s most vulnerable individuals are not denied the protection they desperately need © 2016 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

exclusion International refugee law international criminal law Children associated with armed forces or groups Article 1F(a) Child soldiers Armed conflict

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84954187971&doi=10.1080%2f13642987.2015.1129947&partnerID=40&md5=5cc9859329f538f4a2444839882f39f5
DOI: 10.1080/13642987.2015.1129947
ISSN: 13642987
Original Language: English