Advancing Children’s Rights in Peace Processes
Overview
Transitions from conflict to peace consist of key determinations, which often shape the future direction of the state. Discussions centre on why conflict emerged, and decisions are taken about who should face accountability and for what crimes; what issues should be addressed as part of the wider peace and post-conflict reconstruction process; when, where, and how and proposed reforms are to occur; who is involved in implementing then; and what groups are to and should benefit from them. Peace processes are, therefore, often described as constitutional moments, ‘windows of opportunity’ and ‘critical junctures.’ It is increasingly recognized that who is involved or represented in these processes can have a significant bearing on how these questions are answered.
This project aims to investigate the legal, normative, and instrumental reasons for ensuring that children, their rights, and interests are included and represented in transitions from conflict to peace. It also examines the extent to which children have been included or marginalised at key junctures throughout a peace process. To this end, areas of interest that are explored in this project include children and peace negotiations, children and peace agreements, children and transitional justice, children and constitution-making in conflict-affected settings, and child soldiers. Importantly, this project seeks to determine key actors, strategies, mechanisms, and collaborations that can help to ensure that children are better represented throughout a peace process.
Research Approach
The project is interdisciplinary in nature drawing on law, sociology, childhood studies, children’s geography, international relations, and anthropology. It incorporates a combination of research methods and methodologies. These include desk-based legal and policy research, engagement activities, process tracing, content, and discourse analysis. Semi-structured interviews with subject experts, grassroots-level organizations and international organisations will also be employed in the next phase of the project.
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Publications
Molloy S. Conceptualising the Transformative Justice Potential of Peace Processes. International Journal of Human Rights 2023, 27(2), 307-334.
Molloy S. Child Soldiers and Peace Agreements. International and Comparative Law Quarterly 2024, 73(1), 103-134.
Molloy S. Exclusionary inclusion? Peace Agreements and Provisions on Child Protection. Nordic Journal of Human Rights 2023, 415(4), 432-451.
Molloy, S. Contemplating the Lundy Model as a Framework for Children’s Participation in Peace Negotiations. International Journal of Children's Rights 2022.
Select Media Contributions
Molloy, S., ‘Child Soldiers and Peace Agreements’ PeaceRep Opinion
Molloy, S., ‘Making Connections Between Peace Agreements, Parliamentarians and Security Council Agendas’, PeaceRep Opinion
Molloy, S., ‘Advancing Children’s Rights in Peace Processes: What Role for the Committee on the Rights of the Child?’, PeaceRep Opinion