Protecting Children in Conflict: International Conventions, Domestic Law, and Parliamentary Oversight in War-Affected States

Children living through armed conflict face some of the gravest threats to their safety, development, and human rights. From forced displacement and recruitment into militias to the collapse of basic services like education and healthcare, their lives are routinely disrupted in ways that leave lasting scars. While the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its Optional Protocols set a robust international standard for child protection, translating these norms into meaningful domestic action remains a significant challenge especially in fragile and conflict-affected states.

This article offers a comparative analysis of how eight war-torn and politically unstable countries Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iran, and Palestine implement child rights laws, uphold international obligations, and leverage parliamentary institutions for oversight. The findings highlight major disparities in legal enforcement, the functionality of parliaments, and the role of civil society and international actors. Some countries have managed to maintain child protection efforts through innovative legislative or humanitarian frameworks, while others exhibit institutional breakdown and policy stagnation.

The article concludes with actionable recommendations, advocating for stronger governance mechanisms, independent monitoring bodies, and regional cooperation to ensure that children’s rights are not sidelined even in the most volatile environments.