06.06.2008 - Source: ReliefWeb

Darfur: According to British human rights group, thousands of child refugees from Darfur are being abducted and sold to warring militias as child soldiers ("Thousands of Darfur's child refugees being sold to militias"), Autor: Mail and Guardian [ID 23854]

Document(s): Open document

06.06.2008 - Source: Child Rights Information Network

Eastern Chad: According to a human rights organisation, thousands of child refugees from Darfur, some as young as 9 years, are being abducted from camps and sold to militias as child soldiers; UN estimated in 2007 that between 7,000 and 10,000 child soldiers had been forcibly recruited in Chad ("Child refugees being sold to militias"), Autor: Waging Peace [ID 23855]

Document(s): Open document

04.06.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Sudanese women and girls are trafficked within the country and to Middle Eastern countries; militia groups in Darfur abduct women for forced labour and sexual exploitation; thousands of Dinka and Nuba children and women have been abducted and enslaved ("Trafficking in Persons Report 2008") [ID 23838]

"Sudanese women and girls are trafficked within the country, as well as possibly to Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, for domestic servitude.

In 2007, Greek law enforcement authorities identified a female sex trafficking victim from Sudan. [...]

Militia groups in Darfur, some of which are linked to the government, abduct women for short periods of forced labor and to perpetrate sexual violence.

Forcible recruitment of adults and particularly children by virtually all armed groups involved in Sudan's concluded north-south civil war was commonplace; thousands of children still associated with these forces await demobilization and reintegration into their communities of origin.

In addition to the exploitation of children by armed groups during the two decades-long northsouth civil war, thousands of Dinka women and children were abducted and subsequently enslaved by members of the Missiriya and Rezeigat tribes during this time.

An unknown number of children from the Nuba tribe were similarly abducted and enslaved.

A portion of those who were abducted and enslaved remained with their abductors in South Darfur and West Kordofan and experienced varying types of treatment; others were sold or given to third parties, including in other regions of the country; and some ultimately escaped from their captors.

While there have been no known new abductions of Dinka by members of Baggara tribes in the last few years, inter-tribal abductions continue in southern Sudan, especially in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states."

Document(s): Country Narratives: S through Z
Full Report

04.06.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Children are unlawfully conscripted, at times through abduction, and utilised by armed groups; child recruitment among communities of IDPs reported; some children are trafficked across borders into neighbouring countries ("Trafficking in Persons Report 2008") [ID 23848]

"The terrorist rebel organization, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), continues to harbor small numbers of Sudanese and Ugandan children in the southern part of the country for use as cooks, porters, and combatants;

some of these children are also trafficked across borders into Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In March 2007, six Sudanese girls were abducted by the LRA near Maridi, Western Equatoria.

Sudanese children are unlawfully conscripted, at times through abduction, and utilized by armed rebel groups - including all SLA factions, the Popular Defense Forces, Janjaweed militia, and Chadian opposition forces - in Sudan's ongoing conflict in Darfur; the Sudanese Armed Forces and associated militias also continue to exploit young children in this region.

There were confirmed reports of unlawful child recruitment in mid-2007 by the JEM/Peace Wing among communities of internally displaced persons in Dereig, South Darfur. [...]

Forcible recruitment of adults and articularly children by virtually all armed groups involved in Sudan's concluded north-south civil war was commonplace; thousands of children still associated with these forces await demobilization and reintegration into their communities of origin."

Document(s): Country Narratives: S through Z
Full Report

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Child prostitution, trafficking of children and sexual abuse of children remain problem ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23261]

"Child prostitution, trafficking of children, and sexual abuse of children remained problems, particularly in the south.

Children engaged in prostitution for survival, usually without third-party involvement."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Abduction and trafficking of children and women reported; victims used for labour or sexual exploitation ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23262]

"Although the law prohibits slavery and forced labor, the law does not specifically address trafficking in persons, and there were reports that persons were trafficked from and within the country.

There were some reports that the abduction of women and children continued in the south due to tribal clashes.

There were no informed estimates on the extent of trafficking, including for camel jockeys, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, or other types of forced labor.

There were credible reports that tribal leaders with government connections transported children to the Persian Gulf to be used as jockeys in camel races or as laborers.

In April the governments of Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a bilateral agreement establishing claims facilities to compensate former Sudanese child camel jockeys for their injuries. UNICEF and the government's National Council for Child Welfare estimated that 219 children were repatriated from the UAE.

There were credible reports that intertribal abductions of women and children continued in the south.

Victims frequently became part of the new tribal family, with most women marrying into the new tribe; however, some victims were used for labor or sexual purposes.

The government acknowledged that abductions occurred and that abductees were sometimes forced into domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.

CEAWC and its 22 joint tribal committees investigated abduction cases, but have not engaged in any transport or retrieval missions since early 2006 due to lack of funding."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Southern Sudan: although military operations have reduced LRA activities, LRA continues to abduct children and to hold child abductees ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23263]

"During the past 20 years, the LRA kidnapped more than 20,000 Ugandan children, took them back to the northern part of Uganda, and forced them to become sex slaves, porters, or soldiers.

Many of the victims were killed.

The LRA also abducted citizens while raiding towns in Southern Sudan.

The government permitted the Ugandan army access to Southern Sudan to pursue the LRA.

Although Ugandan military operations have significantly reduced LRA numbers, the LRA continued to operate in the south and to hold child abductees, despite its August 2006 signing of an agreement to cease hostilities; such LRA attacks restricted humanitarian activities."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Southern Sudan: Inter-tribal abduction of women and children still part of traditional warfare ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23264]

"There were occasional reports of intertribal abductions of women and children in the south, primarily in the eastern Upper Nile.

The abductions were part of traditional warfare in which the victor took women and children as bounty and frequently tried to absorb them into their own tribe.

There were traditional methods of negotiating and returning the women who were taken in these raids.

Many of these women were raped and "chose to marry" their abductors, rather than return home and be stigmatized."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Child labour, child trafficking, recruitment of children as soldiers, child prostitution remained serious problems in 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23319]

"Although mandated by the interim constitution to protect children from exploitation, the government did not effectively do so, and child labor was a serious problem.

The legal minimum age for workers was 18 years, but the law was not enforced in practice.

Young children worked in a number of factories, and severe poverty produced widespread child labor in the informal and rural farming economy.

Children were engaged in shining shoes, washing cars, street vending, begging, herding animals, construction, and other menial labor.

There were reports that government and government-aligned militias conscripted children and accepted children as soldiers.

Child trafficking continued, and child prostitution was widespread.

Child labor existed in the south, particularly in the agricultural sectors, where children were employed as field workers, harvesters, and street vendors.

Child labor in such areas was exacerbated by lack of schools, extreme poverty, and the lack of an effective legal minimum age for workers.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, and Child Affairs has responsibility for enforcing child labor laws; however, enforcement was ineffective."

Document(s): Open document

29.08.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

Abduction of children in Southern Sudan (July 2006 - July 2007) ("Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Sudan [S/2007/520]") [ID 21585]

"Ten cases of abduction were confirmed [...], and two Dinka boys were returned to their homes after the intervention of state governors.

Most of the abductions occurred during cattle raids and during conflict between communities.

At least 40 more children were reported to have been abducted, but those allegations were not confirmed. Many of the latter abductions were allegedly perpetrated by armed men from the Murle tribe in Jonglei State.

Reports indicate that the above-mentioned abductions also occurred during cattle raiding operations.

There are also abduction cases attributed to LRA.

On 28 March 2007, a village near Maridi, Western Equatoria, was attacked by armed men suspected of belonging to LRA. Six girls between 12 and 17 years of age were abducted. The whereabouts of the girls remains unknown."

Document(s): Open document

29.08.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

Abduction of children in Darfur (July 2006 - July 2007) ("Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Sudan [S/2007/520]") [ID 21586]

"There were 26 confirmed cases of abduction and, in one case, four civilian men were charged in Kass, Southern Darfur. They were found not guilty of abduction but were found guilty under forced labour charges and ordered to pay compensation for unpaid wages.

On 19 March 2007, a boy 15 years of age was abducted near the Kabkabiya area by 10 armed men believed to be elements of SLA (Minawi). The boy managed to escape and returned home.

There were also more than 150 additional reports of abduction that could not be confirmed."

Document(s): Open document

29.08.2007 - Source: UN Security Council

Legislative reforms on children's rights (Northern Sudan): Draft child rights bill sets 18 as minimum age for recruitment, lays down criminal penalties for range of violations of human rights, considers redefinition of rape and other sexual offences ("Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Sudan [S/2007/520]") [ID 21618]

"The National Council for Child Welfare is leading an interministerial committee, of which UNICEF and UNMIS are members, on legal reform for children.

The Council has agreed to advocate for child protection legislation with relevant state institutions.

The committee has reviewed, amended and finalized a draft child rights bill which would replace the Child Act of 2004 that has been applicable in Northern Sudan.

Similar processes have been initiated in five states for state-level legal reform.

The draft Sudan armed forces act was expected to be debated in the National Assembly in October 2006, but had not yet reached the Assembly by the end of June 2007.

The bill sets 18 as the minimum age for recruitment and lays down criminal penalties for persons who recruit those under 18 years of age.

It also lays down criminal penalties for a range of violations of humanitarian and human rights law, including killings, abduction and enslavement, rape and attacks on schools and hospitals.

There is also ongoing consideration of the revision of the 1991 Criminal Act in order to clarify the definition of rape and other sexual offences. [...]

In Southern Sudan, the Child Bill of 2006, which prohibits the recruitment of children, passed its first reading in the Southern Sudan Assembly in June 2007."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Abduction, trafficking and sexual abuse of children remains widespread in 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19847]

"A large number of children suffered abuse, including abduction, enslavement, and forced conscription (see sections 1.b. and 5, Trafficking). [...]

Child prostitution, trafficking of children, and sexual abuse of children remained problems, particularly in the south (see sections 1.c. and 5, Trafficking). Children engaged in prostitution for survival, usually without third-party involvement. [...]

Although the law prohibits slavery and forced labor, the law does not specifically address trafficking in persons, and there were reports that persons were trafficked from and within the country. There were some reports that the abduction of women and children continued in the south due to tribal clashes.

There were no informed estimates on the extent of trafficking, including for camel jockeys, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, or other types of forced labor. There were credible reports that tribal leaders with government connections transported children to the Persian Gulf to be used as jockeys in camel races or as laborers. Despite the absence of a signed agreement with the government, UNICEF cooperated with the government to repatriate child camel jockeys and indicated that 16 children had been repatriated since May 2005. More than 300 children were repatriated from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar through the combined efforts of governments and NGOs.
There were credible reports that intertribal abductions of women and children continued in the south. Victims frequently became part of the new tribal family, with most women marrying into the new tribe; however, some victims were used for labor or sexual purposes. As intertribal fighting in the south decreased, the number of abductions also appeared to decline. The government acknowledged that abductions occurred and that abductees were sometimes forced into domestic servitude and sexual exploitation. CEAWC and its 22 joint tribal committees investigated abduction cases and sought to facilitate the safe return of victims. CEAWC did not pursue legal action against abductors. Credible sources noted that some of the CEAWC-facilitated reunions were forced repatriations of persons over age 18 against the wishes of the abductees.

During the past 20 years, the LRA kidnapped more than 20,000 Ugandan children, took them back to the northern part of Uganda, and forced them to become sex slaves, pack animals, or soldiers. Many of the victims were killed. The LRA also abducted citizens while raiding towns in southern Sudan. The government permitted the Ugandan army access to southern Sudan to pursue the LRA. Although Ugandan military operations have significantly reduced LRA numbers, the LRA continued to operate in the south and to hold child abductees; such LRA attacks restricted humanitarian activities. On August 26, the LRA signed a cessation of hostilities, pending peace talks with the Government of Uganda in Juba.

Shari'a and the State of Emergency Law prohibit all forms of sexual exploitation, and penalties include fines and imprisonment. However, there were no prosecutions under these laws during the year. The government's National Council of Child Welfare, working with immigration officials, was responsible for combating the trafficking of camel jockeys. "

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Homeless children who had committed crimes detained in "reformation camps"; abducted, homeless and displaced children urged to speak Arabic and practice Islam ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19849]

"The government operated "reformation camps" for vagrant children. Police typically sent homeless children who had committed crimes to these camps, where they were detained for indefinite periods. Health care and schooling at the camps generally were poor, and basic living conditions often were primitive. All of the children in the camps, including non Muslims, must study the Koran, and there was pressure on non Muslims to convert to Islam (see section 2.c.). [...] There were reports that abducted, homeless, and displaced children were discouraged from speaking languages other than Arabic or practicing religions other than Islam."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government assisted some victims of trafficking in 2006 and conducted antitrafficking campaigns ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19851]

"The government assisted some victims of trafficking; through CEAWC it provided clothing, food, shelter, and transportation to victims.

The government conducted antitrafficking public information and education campaigns at the national, state, and local levels. "

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

South: Reports of intertribal abductions of women and children as part of traditional warfare ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19856]

"There were occasional reports of intertribal abductions of women and children in the south, primarily in the eastern Upper Nile (see section 5, Trafficking). The abductions were part of traditional warfare in which the victor took women and children as a bounty and frequently tried to absorb them into their own tribe. There were traditional methods of negotiating and returning the women who were taken in these raids. Many of these women were raped and "chose" to "marry" their abductors, rather than return home and be stigmatized."

Document(s): Open document

20.04.2006 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Rates of slavery, especially of abductions of women and children, very high ("10th European Country of Origin Infomation Seminar Budapest, 1 - 2 December 2005: Final Report on Sudan") [#49770],  [ID 19044]

"The rates of slavery, especially of abductions of women and children, both in the North and the South of Sudan, are high – especially during war time. About 28 000 women have been abducted during the last 15 years in the North of the country. The question is how these women and children can return to their families. In one case, an abducted boy was so badly tortured that he could not walk anymore and was dependent on a wheel chair."

Document(s): Open document