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Summary: This report extracts mentions of children's rights issues in the reports of the UN Special Procedures. This does not include reports of child specific Special Procedures, such as the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, which are available as separate reports. Scroll to: ---------- Report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Radhika Coomaraswamy (E/CN.4/2002/83/Add.2) Country visit: 21 – 29 August 2001 Report published: 11 February 2002 Ms. Coomaraswamy identified the following concerns: Sexual Violance: Systematic and widespread rape and other sexual violence has been a hallmark of the conflict in Sierra Leone. Sexual violence has been directed against women of all ages, including very young girls. Thousands of cases of sexual violence have been reported, including individual and gang rape, sexual assault with objects and sexual slavery. (para 26) In January 1999, the RUF/AFRC invaded the capital, Freetown. During this rebel offensive, there were hundreds of reports of women and girls being rounded up and brutally raped. The rebel forces also abducted several thousand civilians from Freetown at this time. Of the women and girls who were abducted, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent were raped. Many girls subsequently released were pregnant, had given birth or had contracted sexually transmitted diseases. (para 27) In 1999, the international community brokered a cease fire, which led to the signing of the Lomé Peace Agreement, a power-sharing agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that granted amnesty to all combatants, except those who had committed crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was established to assist in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Peace Agreement brought about a relative reduction in many of the worst abuses, except for sexual assault against women and girls, which continued unabated. (para 28) Women and girls have not only been victims but also perpetrators. Atrocities committed by a small number of women have been documented. According to reports (inter alia, E/CN.4/Sub.2/2000/21) in January 1999, a local rebel commander ordered all virgin girls to report for a physical examination. The girls were checked by a female companion of the commander, who “verified” whether they were virgins. The role of women in this capacity has been limited and the testimonies suggest that most did not act voluntarily. Many claim they were abducted, forced to watch the execution of their loved ones and then taken and trained to fight. (para 51) Rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence have been directed against women and girls of all ages, including very young girls. A survey of 226 victims, conducted by the University of Sierra Leone Gender Research and Documentation Centre in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of University Women (SLAUW), Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), found the average age of rape survivors to be between 12 and 32 years. (paran 52) Female Genital Mutilation: The Special Rapporteur is also concerned that harmful traditional practices continue in Sierra Leone. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is widespread and is part of the initiation into the “Bundu society”. One survey indicated that it affected as many as 89 per cent of women. Some African defenders of the practice explained to the Special Rapporteur that this was about “being a woman the African way”. They felt that eradicating FGM would strike at the heart of Sierra Leone society. The Bundu society is an integral part of the initiation of young women and, besides undergoing FGM, they are taught the skills and practices of Sierra Leone culture. Nevertheless the health problems associated with FGM have been widely discussed by, amongst others, the World Health Organization. These problems include pain, because no local anaesthetic is used; haemorrhage and shock due to the sudden blood loss and unexpected pain; acute urinary retention, which leads to urinary tract infection; the use of unsterilized equipment and the application of local dressings of cow dung and ashes; septicaemia (blood poisoning), fever, tetanus and death. Other complications that may arise well after the operation are delay in the wound healing, infection of the urinary tract, difficulty in urinating and difficult penetration during sexual intercourse. In terms of her reproductive health, the circumcised mother may face prolonged and obstructed labour due to the tough post-circumcision scar, and unnecessary Caesarian sections. The child may be stillborn or suffer from brain damage as a result of the prolonged and obstructed labour. Both CEDAW and the Committee on the Rights of the Child affirm the right of the girl child to be free from harmful traditional practices, including FGM. It is therefore essential that the Government of Sierra Leone take effective action against this practice. (para 35) The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the widespread practice of female genital mutilation and its harmful effects on the health of girls, and urges Government to pass legislation banning FGM and undertake preventive information campaigns. The Government needs to carry out sensitization and awareness raising campaigns for practitioners and the general public, to change traditional attitudes and discourage harmful traditional practices. The Special Rapporteur recommends the adoption of an alternative practice of a merely ceremonial nature, which does not involve violating the physical integrity of girls. (para 116) Discrimination: Gender discrimination exists in the law, inter alia in regard to property ownership and inheritance rights. It has been shown that the denial of inheritance rights, and the resulting economic vulnerability and tenure insecurity, often prevent women from leaving abusive situations in which they are subject to physical, sexual and/or psychological violence. With the increase in female headed households caused by male fatalities during the conflict, women and girls often lack either the legal means or the cultural community support with which to reclaim their property. (para 40) Conditions in the IDP camps: The conditions in the IDP camps are desperate. In one of the camps visited by the Special Rapporteur, the camp manager reported an increase in infant mortality and reported that two children died a day as a result of the extremely poor living conditions. Overcrowding and insufficient food and medical care are among the most urgent concerns. The medical care that exists is very basic, consisting of traditional birth attendants, who operate a system of referral to local hospitals which is supposed to be free but, the Special Rapporteur was told, in practice is not. Security is another concern. Rape in the camps is common; families reportedly settle matters themselves through the payment of money. The majority of the women interviewed by the Special Rapporteur were female heads of household and were struggling to make a living selling firewood which they collect in the hills behind the camp. Others said they were forced to work as prostitutes to have enough food for themselves and their children to survive. More needs to be done to provide alternative forms of employment. The ration card system did not appear to be operating correctly, with one card having to be shared among numerous persons. (para 70) The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the appalling conditions in the IDP camps. Reportedly there is a high incidence of rape in the camps. Many of the IDPs she interviewed said that they had not received a displaced person’s card which would enable them to benefit from the limited privileges accorded to displaced persons. The Special Rapporteur urges all parties to abide by and ensure enforcement of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. The Government must adopt effective measures to address the particular security concerns of women and children displaced by conflict, including measures against rape and other gender-based violence. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government and the international community to take immediate action to ensure that IDPs have access to basic services, particularly in regard to food, shelter, health, education and protection. (para 120) Abduction: In the rehabilitation process, special programmes need to be designed for women who have been abducted – so-called “camp followers”. In resolution 1314 (2000) on children and armed conflict of 11 August 2000, the United Nations Security Council underlined the importance of giving consideration to the special needs and particular vulnerabilities of girls affected by armed conflict, including, inter alia, those heading households, orphaned, sexually exploited and used as combatants and urged that their human rights, protection and welfare be incorporated in the development of policies and programmes, including those for prevention, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. Prostitution: With the increase in breakdown of the family structure due to displacement and poverty, thousands of young girls are turning to prostitution. Many victims of rape and abduction turn to prostitution as they feel this is the only option available to them. Controlled by pimps, these girls are selling themselves on the streets and in bars and hotels. The clients are military personnel (national and international), rebel forces, police and other security personnel, expatriate workers, seamen, miners, truck drivers, etc. Support is needed to facilitate the economic empowerment of women and girls, including skills training programmes that will enhance their competitiveness in the market economy (for example, computer training or training in carpentry, business management and farming). (para 87) Education: The Special Rapporteur is concerned over high rates of illiteracy among women and low levels of enrolment in primary education and graduation of girls. She recommends that the Government make every effort to increase the enrolment of girls in primary education and graduation rates, inter alia through the promotion of women’s rights and through the enforcement of compulsory education requirements. (122) Visits requested Visits accepted
Please note that the language may have been edited in places for the purpose of clarity
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