UN experts call for the release of remaining abducted children from the Gambella region

GENEVA, 25 May 2016 / PRN Africa / — Two United Nations human rights experts today urged the Ethiopian and South Sudanese authorities to increase their efforts to free all the children abducted in the western Ethiopia's Gambella region during cross border attacks by armed men.

Last month, on 15 April, 208 people were reportedly killed and 146 girls and boys abducted when armed men from the Murle ethnic group crossed the Ethiopian border and attacked 13 Nuer villages in the Jikaw and Lare districts of the Gambella region. During the raids, 80 people were reportedly wounded and over 2,000 cattle stolen.

The experts' appeal comes after the reported liberation of 59 of the abducted children, who are mostly younger than 13, and their return to Ethiopia over the past week.

The UN Special Rapporteurs on the sale of children, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, and on summary executions, Christof Heyns, commended the Ethiopian and South Sudanese authorities for achieving the release of the abducted children through negotiations, but stressed “that ongoing liberation efforts should not pose a threat to the safety and best interests of the remaining children held in captivity.”

“I welcome the provision of interim care, with the help of international actors, to these children but insist on the need to have adequate, child-sensitive and long-term care, recovery and reintegration support services,” Ms. de Boer-Buquicchio said. “They and their families and communities are entitled to reparations, including urgent interim reparations to address immediate needs and avoid irreparable harm.”

April's attacks took place in a context of recurring cross border cattle raids and inter-ethnic clashes since the beginning of the year, in which 26 children from the Anywa ethnic minority have also reportedly been abducted and 19 Anywa villagers were killed. These abducted children run the risk of being sold for labour exploitation purposes.

“Both Ethiopia and South Sudan have the duty to guarantee the right of every individual to life and security,” Mr. Heyns added. “This includes the responsibility to prevent harm caused by non-state actors.”

The experts noted that it is essential to conduct effective and prompt investigations when such attacks occur in order to bring perpetrators to justice. “In the absence of accountability and with the existing level of impunity, the cycle of violence affecting the region will never come to an end and will only get worse,” they emphasized.

Gambella is an ethnically diverse, historically marginalized and underdeveloped region, and its stability has been impacted by events in South Sudan. Conflicts emerged in the region in the past decade which saw victims amongst all groups. More recently, affected communities have received little protection from the Ethiopian and South Sudanese governments, while the reported flow of small arms in the region is increasing the deadly outcome of these raids.

“There is an urgent need for an effective and well-resourced permanent presence at the border in order to monitor the area and prevent incursions,” they underscored. Moreover, both States must urgently address ongoing inter-ethnic conflict with conflict prevention and resolution measures through community and Government led initiatives.

The two UN human rights experts called on the Ethiopian and South Sudanese authorities to prevent a repetition of such attacks by increasing their collaboration. Priority should be given to reducing tensions and building confidence among and between ethnic groups by addressing the root causes of tensions, promoting stability, and engaging with communities. They also urged the international community to support these efforts and provide all the necessary support to locate, rescue and assist the abducted children.
SOURCE United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)