Strengthening Justice for Children: Reflections from the Crimes Against Humanity Conference and Our Call for Child-Centred Treaty Amendments
What Was the Conference About?
On May 5, 2025, our accountability expert Veronique Aubert joined a diverse group of representatives from States, civil society, the United Nations, and academia at a landmark conference to discuss the future of the Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) Treaty. This international treaty aims to hold perpetrators accountable for serious, widespread crimes against civilians—such as murder, torture, and forced displacement—whether in conflict or other violent crises. The conference was held to build momentum for the treaty currently under negotiation, with a special focus on how it can better protect vulnerable groups, especially children, who are often the most affected by these crimes.
The conference followed the release of a briefing paper endorsed by 38 organizations, including Save the Children UK, which called attention to the urgent need for child-specific provisions in the treaty. Ambassador Alicia Buenrostro Massieu of Mexico stressed, “We have a responsibility to build a treaty that does not leave children behind.” Similarly, Poland’s Undersecretary of State Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz urged the international community to recognise that children are frequently victims of abduction, recruitment as soldiers, sexual violence, and forced disappearance — and must be specially protected under international law.
This conference was a vital opportunity to bring children’s experiences and needs into the spotlight ahead of drafting the treaty.
Why This Treaty Matters for Children
Almost one-third of the global population is under 18, and an estimated 149 million children live in high-intensity conflict zones. Children experience crimes against humanity differently and often more severely than adults. These crimes—such as murder, sexual violence, forced displacement, and recruitment into armed groups—can cause lifelong physical, psychological, and social harm.
Yet, despite being victims of nearly all crimes listed as crimes against humanity, children are mentioned only twice in the current draft treaty. This omission risks leaving children invisible in justice and protection mechanisms.
Key Recommendations for a Child-Centred CAH Treaty
To ensure the treaty genuinely protects children, Save the Children and partners have proposed critical amendments, including:
1. Clear Definition of “Child”
The treaty should explicitly define a child as anyone under 18, aligning with the Convention on the Rights of the Child—the most widely ratified human rights instrument. This clarity ensures consistent application of protections and justice.
2. Explicit Inclusion of Children as Victims and Witnesses
The treaty should explicitly mention children among victims and witnesses, ensuring justice processes are accessible and safe for them. Children must have the right to participate in proceedings in a way that prioritizes their best interests.
3. Expansion of Crimes to Reflect Children’s Experiences
Forced marriage should be included as a standalone crime.
Recruitment and use of children under 18 in armed conflict must be explicitly criminalised.
The definition of forced pregnancy should be broadened to include children under 18.
Age should be listed as an explicit ground for persecution, acknowledging crimes targeted specifically at children.
4. Special Protections for Children Accused of Crimes
Children accused of crimes against humanity must be handled within specialised child justice systems that prioritize rehabilitation and safeguard their rights—not tried in adult courts.
5. Child-Focused Reparations
Reparations must go beyond material compensation to address the unique physical, psychological, legal, and social harms children suffer. Tailored support must be guaranteed to help them rebuild their lives.
Why These Changes Are Essential
Crimes against humanity often impact entire communities and future generations. Children, because of their age and vulnerability, endure distinctive harms that the current draft treaty fails to adequately recognise. Without child-specific language and provisions, justice systems risk overlooking the realities faced by millions of young survivors worldwide.
Integrating child-centred approaches will strengthen the treaty’s capacity to hold perpetrators accountable, improve protection, and ensure children can access justice and reparations effectively.
Looking Ahead
The UN Preparatory Committee will begin negotiations in January 2026, paving the way for formal treaty discussions in 2028 and 2029. Save the Children UK remains committed to championing these critical amendments to ensure the CAH Convention truly safeguards children’s rights and futures.
As global attention turns to this important legal framework, we call on States to seize this opportunity to build a treaty that leaves no child behind — protecting, empowering, and delivering justice for children affected by the gravest human rights violations.
Together, we can create a world where every child is recognised, protected, and supported when facing crimes against humanity.
