Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OP-CAC), Article 4

Article 4(1): 'Armed groups that are distinct from the armed forces of a State should not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of 18 years.' Article 4(2): States Parties 'shall take all feasible measures to prevent such recruitment and use, including the adoption of legal measures necessary to prohibit and criminalize such practices.' Sri Lanka signed on 21 August 2000 and ratified/declared under Art 3(2) on 8 September 2000 — one of the earliest ratifying States. The Protocol entered into force globally on 12 February 2002, binding Sri Lanka to prevent and criminalise recruitment and use of under-18s by the LTTE, the Karuna group, and the TMVP from that date.