30 December 2014 The conflict in South Sudan has seriously hampered the protection of children, increasing their vulnerability dramatically, says a new report published this week by United Nations Secretary-General[1] Ban Ki-moon.
The first report[2] of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in South Sudan documents grave violations of children’s rights committed since the African nation seceded from Sudan in 2011.
More specifically, it takes stock of how children have been affected by the conflict during the period from 1 March 2011 to 30 September 2014, documenting the following six grave violations committed against children: killing and maiming, recruitment and use, sexual violence, abduction, attacks against schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.
During the period between December 2013 and September 2014 over 600 children were killed, the report says. During the same period, thousands of child soldiers were seen with State and non-State armed groups.
“The data collected and verified by the UN is devastating,” Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict said in a statement[3] released today by her Office.
“The children of South Sudan were not only affected by renewed violence, they have been directly targeted by all parties to the conflict,” she added.
The UN also found that dozens of cases of boys and girls who were victims of sexual violence committed by all parties to the conflict, although the actual number is likely to be higher due to underreporting. Schools and hospitals were targeted as well.
All parties to the conflict in South Sudan were responsible for grave violations against children during the reporting period, including killing and maiming, recruitment and use, abduction and rape and other forms of sexual violence, the report found.
“Six months later, we are still waiting to see boys and girls released and other meaningful actions that will help shield the country’s children from the violence,” the Special Representative said, referring to the mid-2014 pledge by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and other parties to end and prevent the use of children as well as all grave violations against children.
To that end, the report called on the Government of South Sudan to develop a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme for children separated from armed forces and groups. This programme should be designed to ensure that children receive adequate support and reintegration assistance, with particular attention to the specific needs of girls.
Additional recommendations to end and prevent grave violations against children are outlined in the report such as ending impunity for perpetrators.
Source http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49707
Newer articles:
- South Sudan: #39;Silent Emergency #39; in South Sudan As Protracted Conflict Displaces Millions of Cattle - UN - 02/01/2015 07:56
- Gov't official: South Sudan to hold elections between May and July 2015 - 01/01/2015 16:59
- Lakes state governor sacks entire cabinet - 01/01/2015 06:21
- ‘Silent emergency’ in South Sudan as protracted conflict displaces millions of cattle – UN - 31/12/2014 17:41
- Sudans' security committee to discuss accusations of support to rebels in January - 31/12/2014 09:06
Older news items
- South Sudan Claims Oil Still Flows, Experts Disagree - 30/12/2014 19:47
- A "Lost Boy" Helps The Girls Of South Sudan Find An Education - 30/12/2014 10:15
- South Sudan Rebels Accuse Army of Killing Civilians - 29/12/2014 21:32
- UN food delivery to South Sudan resumes - 29/12/2014 12:56
- S. Sudan Rebels Riled by Ugandan Troop Presence - 28/12/2014 14:48
Latest news items (all categories):
- UN experts say South Sudan is close to securing a $13 billion oil-backed loan from a UAE company - 18/05/2024 11:54
- DRC, South Sudan units top Equity’s earnings in first quarter - 18/05/2024 11:49
- Innuendos and tittle tattle of Kiir's regime - 18/05/2024 11:44
- South Sudan government, rebel groups sign pact to achieve lasting peace - 18/05/2024 09:58
- إلى متى ينظر الجميع إلى الفيل و يطعنون ظله..؟ - 15/05/2024 21:51
Random articles (all categories):
- George Clooney and John Prendergast: Statement on Events in Sudan - 11/04/2019 16:37
- S. Sudan Rebels Riled by Ugandan Troop Presence - 28/12/2014 14:48
- South Sudan Paradox: Joyful Independence, Sorry Leadership! - 08/07/2011 16:09
- Home Grown Peacekeeping Strategies in the Republic of South Sudan - Sudan Vision - 06/10/2012 15:29
- أين الخلل .. وما الحل - 07/04/2011 01:00
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 35588 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 21875 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 20768 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 17454 times
- With prisons full, South Sudan to introduce mobile courts to clear backlog of cases - 11/10/2012 11:29 - Read 14236 times