Children’s Rights – 2019
2019
Sixty-eight child soldiers were released from a militia and began integrated into the SSPDF on January 31st.[1] UNICEF announced that 119 child soldiers were released from the South Sudan National Liberation Movement on February 12.[2] UNICEF announced that rebel groups had released 32 child soldiers on July 24, 2019.[3] However, in September, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported that “boys under the age of 15 years of age continue to be forcibly recruited—including by members of the SPLA/M-IO and other opposition groups in Juba and Western Bahr el Ghazal, as well as by the Government in Greater Bahr el Ghazal. Ironically, the prospect of a peace deal has accelerated the forced recruitment of children, with various groups now seeking to boost their numbers before they move into the cantonment sites.”[4]
[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) eighth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, February 5, 2019.
[2] “More than 3,000 children released from armed groups in South Sudan since conflict began, but thousands more continue to be used,” UNICEF, February 12, 2019.
[3] “32 children released from opposition groups in South Sudan,” UNICEF, July 24, 2019.
[4] “Statement of the Chairperson and members of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at the 42nd Human Rights Council session,” United Nations Human Rights Council, September 16, 2019.