Citation

Schweiger G. J. Global Ethics 2016; 12(3): 380-397.

Affiliation

Centre for Ethics and Poverty Research, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17449626.2016.1247744

PMID

28690666

PMCID

PMC5479336

Abstract

In this paper, I will discuss a children's rights-based argument for the duty of states, as a joint effort, to establish an effective program to help bring children out of conflict zones, such as parts of Syria, and to a safe haven. Children are among the most vulnerable subjects in violent conflicts who suffer greatly and have their human rights brutally violated as a consequence. Furthermore, children are also a group whose capacities to protect themselves are very limited, while their chance to flee is most often only slim. I will then discuss three counterarguments: the first counterargument would be that, instead of getting the children out of a particular country, it would be better to improve their situation in their home countries. A second counterargument could be that those states, which have such a duty to bring children to a safe haven, would be overburdened by it. Finally, the third counterargument I want to discuss states that such a duty would also demand a military intervention, which could worsen the situation even further.

Language: en

Keywords

Children’s rights; child refugees; children in conflict zones; human rights; human rights intervention