UNODC launched the Handbook on Children Recruited and Exploited by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups: The Role of the Justice System, the first United Nations publication on the topic. The event was attended by representatives of 48 countries.

"The world has been forced to face the reality that terrorists and violent extremist groups target children for their purposes," said John Brandolino, UNODC's Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs, speaking at the launch event.

In this regard, the Handbook aims at providing guidance to law- and policy-makers, as well as practitioners on the treatment of children. The publication focuses on the prevention of child recruitment; justice for children; and rehabilitation and reintegration.