The Right of Child Victims of Armed Conflict to Reintegration and Recovery

Article 39 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the right to recovery and reintegration of child victims of armed conflict. In this publication an explanation is tendered of when children are considered to be victims of armed conflict. Specific reference is made to the question of whether or not a former child soldier may be viewed as such a child victim. In addition the question is addressed of how a monist or dualist approach in terms of which treaty law is incorporated into municipal law influences the rights of child victims in terms of article 39 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Thirdly, article 39 is discussed against the background of the international human rights instrument, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. KEYWORDS: Convention on the Rights of the Child; child victims; armed conflict