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Optional protocols

Article 38 of the CRC only safeguards under 15-year-olds from participation in armed actions. In 2000 a CRC protocol was drawn up to increase the minimum age of child participation in armed conflicts to 18 years. This came into force 12 February 2002. The second CRC protocol concerns the trafficking in children, child prostitution and child pornography. It came into force 18 January 2002.

Some 117 states have signed the protocol on child participation in armed conflicts, and 88 of them have ratified it, including Finland. The protocol on child trafficking, child prostitution and pornography has been signed by 110 countries and ratified by 87. It has yet to take effect in Finland.