The United Nations reported grave violations of children’s rights in South Sudan and that kids’ vulnerability increased dramatically after the resumption of conflict.
Secretary-General Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui’s first report published on children and armed conflict in South Sudan indicated that the number of grave violations perpetrated against children from mid-December 2013 to September 2014 is greater.
She said the data UN collected and verified is devastating, adding that the children were not only affected by renewed violence but were directly targeted by all parties to the conflict.
According to the report she said over 600 children were killed between December 2013 and September 2014 and thousands of child soldiers were seen with state and non-state armed groups.
Ms Zerrougui continued that they documented dozens of cases of boys and girls who were victims of sexual violence committed by the warring parties.
She reported that there were six thousand children registered separated from their family.
The Special Representative called on the government to develop a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme for children separated from armed forces to ensure they receive adequate support with particular attention to specific needs of girls.