Truths, secrets and securitized identities: Children born of war in Europe and beyond

This paper examines the position of children born of war in the global discourse on peace and security. The empirical focus is on foundational European experiences and research, linking historical experiences of children born of war to contemporary conflicts and groups of children born of war. Conceptually, the article shows how children born of war have fallen between normative frameworks such as the Women, Peace and Security agenda – and its pillar on preventing and punishing conflict-related sexual violence crimes in particular – and those of children’s rights. The lack of normative and political recognition has led to the foregrounding of intergenerational harms, contested victimhood and security framings that treat children born of war as risks rather than rights-holders. The paper concludes that children born of war informed transitional justice mechanisms need to be centred on truth-telling, non discriminatory legal status and meaningful participation of children born of war in decision making.