What difference do Presbyterian Red Hands make?
This year three states: Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have ratified or acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Chad recently signed an action plan to end the use of children by the country’s security forces.
Clearly the international consensus that “Children are children, not soldiers” is building.
Presbyterians are playing a part. The Red Hands made by Presbyterians are delivered to permanent missions at the United Nations asking them to encourage their governments to sign and ratify the protocol. This international treaty does not guarantee that children will not be used as soldiers, but it does help establish a legal placeholder. It sets a standard for the world and it provides a mechanism by which those who exploit children may be prosecuted.
Together, we are making a difference.
Keep those Red Hands coming!
The photo shows Red Hands made under the 2011 Big Tent. It is courtesy of the 2011 Big Tent Youth Program.