Viet Nam Human Rights
UN welcomes the release of 21 child soldiers by Government of Sudan
26/9/16
The United Nations welcomes the release yesterday by the Government of
Sudan of twenty one children allegedly associated with armed groups. These
children, who have been in the custody of the government security forces, were
captured during fighting between the Government of Sudan and the Justice and
Equality Movement in Darfur, in 2015.
“It is with great joy that we
receive the announcement of the release of these children. This action is a
clear result of the Government’s determination towards the protection of
children who are affected by conflict in the country. The United Nations would
like to take this opportunity to reiterate its full support to the Government
in promoting and protecting children’s rights in Sudan, including in areas of
armed conflict”, says Ms. Marta Ruedas, the UN Resident Coordinator
The UN regards the release of this
group as an important milestone towards the implementation of the Action Plan
signed between the United Nations and the Government of Sudan on 27 March 2016.
The document aims to contribute to the overall protection of children affected
by armed conflict in Sudan and specifically to the protection against and
prevention of their recruitment and use, as well as to the release,
reintegration and rehabilitation of children.
“Sudanese children cannot
continue to be robbed of their future. No child should take part in
hostilities. Children should be in school and with their families. I
welcome the release of these children as a significant gesture and once again
appeal to all the parties associated with armed conflict to stop the
recruitment of child soldiers,” says Joint Special Representative Martin
Uhomoibhi, Head of UNAMID.
The children will be housed in
a government transit centre where they will receive psychosocial and other
support that would enable successful reintegration into their families and
communities. The UN is working closely with the government’s National
Council for Child Welfare to assist this process.
“Today is truly a remarkable day! This release is a reflection of our
collective commitment to the Action Plan for the protection of all children in
conflict. Their reunification with their families and their reintegration into
society will be a major milestone in the realization and preservation of
children’s rights and childhood. We will exert all efforts to support the
government and its relevant institutions to reintegrate these children”, says
Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Sudan Country Representative.
The successful reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces
and groups into their communities remains a very important goal for the United
Nations and other partners in Sudan./.
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All comments [ 10 ]
I am pleased to see that the children will receive assistance through a reintegration program and that they have also received a Presidential pardon.
That will allow the boys to be reunited with their families as soon as possible.
The Action Plan, a milestone for the campaign ‘Children, not Soldiers’, details measures to end and prevent underage recruitment, including strengthening age verification mechanisms and ensuring accountability for child recruiters.
This release is the result of good cooperation between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations in the country acting together to protect children.
I look forward to supporting their efforts on the Action Plan implementation and on ensuring that children detained for these reasons in the future are treated primarily as victims, with detention considered only as a last resort and for the shortest period of time.
In the past, the United Nations has accused both rebels and the government of recruiting child soldiers.
Children, not Soldiers
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 15,000 to 16,000 children may have been used by armed forces and groups in the conflict.
Under the laws of war, the recruitment or use of children under 15 by parties to a conflict is a war crime, for which commanders can be held criminally responsible.
While nothing can erase the damage done to these boys’ lives, South Sudanese authorities have a responsibility to end child soldiering and military use of schools,this means taking action, starting with punishing those who have committed violations.
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