SECTION 5: Rehabilitation and reintegration 143. Rehabilitation and reintegration support from States is critical to ensuring the enjoyment of human rights by children affected by the foreign fighter phenomenon. In reality, such children face many challenges, including persistent discrimination from state authorities and/or communities to which they may return. The existence of comprehensive support systems from States and other actors, including communitybased groups and civil society organizations, may help children to better reintegrate and develop. Such support for full integration is likely to serve States’ long-term security goals by preventing further marginalization, which could push children to return to armed groups, including designated terrorist groups. 144. Many children affected by the foreign fighter phenomenon are likely to require long-term support. This may include some level of continuing psychosocial or more specialist medical support once integrated into a community. Some may have been injured or acquired disabilities and others may suffer chronic health consequences from having lived in conditions without adequate basic services. Stigma and discrimination upon return to their countries of nationality, or relocation to a third country may also increase the challenges that such children face, as may lack of or interrupted education services. This can contribute to challenges to psychosocial and psychological wellbeing if not supported properly. Rehabilitation and reintegration should aim to support children so that they are able to enjoy their rights, including the right to physical, social, psychological and cognitive development, without discrimination and stigmatization. 145. In relation to the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflict, including those recruited, used and exploited by armed groups, there is a wealth of materials available to support States to implement relevant programming. Consequently, the focus of the present chapter is limited to a brief summary of international human rights and humanitarian provisions, which are intended to remind States of relevant international standards that call for rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by conflict. 5.1 International Law and Standards 5.1.1 States’ Obligations for Rehabilitation and Reintegration Children affected by violence, including armed conflict 146. The Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes States parties’ obligations to promote the rehabilitation and social integration of children affected by armed conflict, including the foreign fighter phenomenon. The Convention obligates States parties to take all appropriate measures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, mistreatment or exploitation.282 This obligation exists not only at the national level, but also at the provincial and municipal levels.283 It specifies that States shall take protective measures even when a child is in the care of his or her parent or legal guardian. Such protective mea282 Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), art. 19(1). 283 Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 13 (2011), para. 5 66.