UN bemoans child soldier recruitment in Sudan
14/07/2008
The UN rights rapporteur in Sudan has reiterated her opposition to the use of child soldiers in the war-torn nation.
Making her sixth visit to the country since her appointment in 2005, Sima Samar complained of the widespread recruitment of underage combatants by both sides of the conflict.
She said the practice contravened numerous international agreements - and also complained of an attack by Darfur rebels in capital city Khartoum which left 200 people dead.
"During my visit I saw child soldiers almost everywhere with the government and also with the [rebel] movements," she told reporters. "Child soldiers are a clear violation of international human rights law and we condemn it."
Alluding to the latest attack by African rebels - who have taken up arms in response to atrocities committed by government-backed Arab militiamen - Ms Samar said underage fighters who are captured should be treated with compassion.
"They should not be prosecuted," she insisted. "They should be reintegrated ... and reunited with their families."
Despite government assurances that it will release all detained child soldiers, the UN representative noted that 89 such combatants from the latest attack have yet to be discharged from a "rehabilitation camp".
Aid agencies estimate that up to 300,000 people have so far lost their lives in the Darfur conflict, with the notorious Janjiweed militia being accused of orchestrating countless massacres.
It was confirmed today (July 14) that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has formally charged Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir with genocide.
©