A/68/267 98. The detention and prosecution of children, including for acts committed while associated with armed groups, should at all times remain a measure of last resort. The Special Representative calls upon Member States to seek alternatives to prosecution and detention for children, consistent with international juvenile justice standards. 99. Mindful of the severe effects that explosive weapons, including small arms and light weapons, have on children in armed conflict, the Special Representative urges all Member States to sign, ratify and swiftly implement the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty. In particular, Member States are urged to ensure that the impact on children of arms transfers is systematically assessed and that child protection concerns are duly taken into account, in accordance with the Arms Trade Treaty. 100. To minimize their effects on children, drone strikes must be carried out in accordance with principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality. A transparent normative framework governing drone use must be put in place, recognizing the special status of children, with the aim of avoiding child casualties. The Special Representative calls upon Member States to review their policies and to make a greater effort to investigate incidents involving the killing and maiming of children. 101. Measures to address the structural causes of child recruitment must tackle social exclusion and provide children and youth with education and socioeconomic alternatives. At the national level, measures to reintegrate children must be systematically included in broader recovery and development strategies. The economic dimensions of preventing the recruitment of children and reintegrating them into society need to figure prominently in the peacebuilding, recovery and development agenda of international agencies and bilateral donors. 102. The Special Representative welcomes the draft Lucens guidelines to protect schools from being used by armed forces and groups for military purposes. She calls upon Member States to lead the way in supporting that process and in incorporating those principles into their national legislation and military guidance. 18/18 13-41862

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