Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children: An Actor for the Protection of Children's Rights During Armed Conflict?

Although the legal protection of children in armed conflict has progressed, children's rights violations are often addressed after war through temporary mechanisms focusing on serious international crimes. Yet, especially when chronic, conflict becomes part of children's daily reality. While literature has emphasized the role of independent national human rights institutions in peace-building, their contribution to the protection of children's rights during conflict has remained unexplored. Drawing on the experiences of selected independent institutions in conflict situations, this article investigates their role in protecting the full range of children's rights despite considerable challenges and uncovers their significant potential.