What do the SDGs and the UNCRC say about peace?

SDG 16 states that societies should be peaceful and that no one should be subjected to violence. Countries should allow all people to participate and have equal rights and opportunities. Everyone should be equal before the law and be able to speak their mind. There should also be no corruption - when someone abuses their power to better themselves. The Convention on the Rights of the Child says the same thing - that all children have the same rights and no child should be discriminated against.

When there is a war

When there is a war, people try to escape from the war. Then you might have to live in a refugee camp. Many people live in the same place. There are often no good houses, clean water or food. This makes it easy for diseases to spread. There are also often no safe places for children to play.

In war, there is a high risk of parents and children being separated. Children who do not have adults to protect them live dangerously. Children are at risk of violence and recruitment as child soldiers. Most children are also separated from their friends.

Many children can't go to school when there is a war. In war, there is often no money to keep schools open, or to pay teachers' salaries. Some schools become dangerous places used by the military.

What does the UNCRC say about children at war?

Article 22 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child deals with children who are refugees. All children arriving in a country must receive protection and assistance. This applies to both children who arrive alone and children who arrive with their parents. If a child arrives alone, the country has a responsibility to help them find their parents or other relatives.

Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children from the death penalty, life imprisonment and torture. Children in prison must not be ill-treated. Children should not be in the same prison as adults. Children in prison should be able to receive visits from their family and correspond with their family. In Sweden, no children under the age of 15 are allowed to be in prison.

Articles 38 and 39 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child state that children should be protected from war and that no child should be used as a child soldier. If a child has been used as a child soldier, he or she should be helped to recover and lead a normal life. All children also have the right to primary education and to receive help when they feel unwell.

This text was originally published on January 1, 2018.