Decision C-172/04 (on the constitutionality of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict)

This ruling—issued by the Constitutional Court in Colombia on February 3, 2004—established the constitutionality of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. This decision explains the necessity of the Optional Protocol. In particular, the decision discusses the civilian toll of the armed conflict in Colombia, including the recruitment and use of children. The decision states that the recruitment and use of children and adolescents into armed violence violates their rights to personal integrity, life, liberty, free development of personality, expression, education, health, family and recreation, among others.