While the exploitation of any human being is reprehensible, it is all the mor...

While the exploitation of any human being is reprehensible, it is all the more so when children are involved. The use of minors in conflicts by armed organized groups violates ethical standards and international legal principles. Besides being a merciless practice, it is an unforgivable violation of human rights. Innumerable defenceless innocents should not be used as human shields. It is inconceivable that they should be forced to place or deactivate mines, thereby endangering their precious lives. That makes it imperative that States today take a greater responsibility to support the efforts, processes and mechanisms at the United Nations to prevent the recruitment and participation of girls and boys in armed conflict and to ensure that they are protected from hostilities.