Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Drug Offences and Other Measures) Act 2005 (129 of 2005)

Schedule 2   Involvement of children in armed conflict

Criminal Code Act 1995

3   At the end of section 268.68 of the Criminal Code

Add:

Other armed forces and groups

(4) A person (the perpetrator ) commits an offence if:

(a) the perpetrator uses one or more persons to participate actively in hostilities other than as members of the national armed forces; and

(b) the person or persons are under the age of 18 years; and

(c) the perpetrator's conduct takes place in the context of, and is associated with, an international armed conflict.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 17 years.

(5) A person (the perpetrator ) commits an offence if:

(a) the perpetrator conscripts one or more persons into an armed force or group other than the national armed forces; and

(b) the person or persons are under the age of 18 years; and

(c) the perpetrator's conduct takes place in the context of, and is associated with, an international armed conflict.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 15 years.

(6) A person (the perpetrator ) commits an offence if:

(a) the perpetrator enlists one or more persons into an armed force or group other than the national armed forces; and

(b) the person or persons are under the age of 18 years; and

(c) the perpetrator's conduct takes place in the context of, and is associated with, an international armed conflict.

Penalty for a contravention of this subsection: Imprisonment for 10 years.