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Severe Violations Of Childern's Rights In Darfur
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SUDAN: Severe violations of children's rights in Darfur - SC UK > > >© IRIN > >A child at an IDP camp in West Darfur > >NAIROBI, 7 Sep 2004 (IRIN) - Sudanese government forces, militias, police and >other security forces have committed serious violations of children's rights in >Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur, according to a report by Save the >Children UK, which noted that abuses included murder, rape and abduction. > >"There is evidence of widespread use of rape by militias as a weapon of war, >with rape survivors ranging between 10-40 years old. Forced circumcision of >women by their attackers has also been reported," Save the Children UK (SC UK) >said in its latest report on the child protection crisis in Darfur issued on 3 >September. > >According to the report, other violations included killing of children's family >members or relatives, recruitment of children into armed groups, burning of >houses, crops and poisoning of wells, #####ng of property and animals, >humiliation of relatives or families, and harassment and intimidation. > >Hundreds of children have been separated from their families in the conflict, >SC UK said, adding that without the care and protection of their immediate >family or of the community, the affected children were extremely vulnerable. > >"There is emerging evidence that children are being abducted to fight with >armed groups and forces, or 'volunteering' in order to defend themselves or >their families," SC UK said. It added that large numbers of internally >displaced persons (IDPs) had been cut off from humanitarian assistance, with >many reporting having to pay 'protection' fees in the form of money, grain, or >#######, in order to collect firewood or water. > >The humanitarian agency said that African Union monitors in Darfur faced >numerous access constraints, leaving many IDPs "besieged" by the threat of >violence from militias, with civilians being arbitrarily arrested and having >their papers confiscated. > >"Recent reports detail pressure from the Government of Sudan being put on IDPs >to return to their homes, despite ongoing insecurity, food insecurity, and lack >of basic services," SC UK said. "Whilst children are presenting with fever, >diarrhoea, and chest or eye infections, it is estimated that only 50 percent of >basic healthcare needs are covered. Global acute malnutrition rates for under- >fives may be as high as 33 percent, with a five percent [rate] for severe >malnutrition in some areas," it added. > >The report said that many displaced children had been deprived of education, a >vital tool in their protection and development, for reasons of insecurity, lack >of transportation, inadequate space in schools and obstruction from the >authorities. > >The full report is available on www.reliefweb.int >
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