The report highlights the link between child trafficking and serious violations in conflict
the report – the first book of its kind – analyzes the links between child trafficking and six serious violations against children caught up in war. These include recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, kidnapping, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.
It was produced by the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, in close coordination with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and child, Siobhán Mullally.
The focus is on seven countries or geographical regions – Colombia, Lake Chad basin in Africa, Libya, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Ukraine – and the report makes recommendations to ensure better protection and accountability.
Control and intimidation
“What this research shows is the way in which child trafficking overlaps and interacts with the six serious violations. and outline legal and policy responses, which are typically done within departments,” Ms. Gamba speak.
Trafficking of children in armed conflict takes many forms, including sexual exploitation and sexual slavery, child marriage, recruitment and use in combat and support roles.
It does has long been used by warring parties to control and terrorize communities as well as support and maintain conflict.
At the same time, serious violations are often part of the cause, process or consequences of child trafficking. For example, denying humanitarian access during wartime can make children more vulnerable to trafficking.
Gender and cross-border aspects
Furthermore, “work The risk of child trafficking is deeply gendered”, according to the report. While girls are often targets of sexual exploitation and child marriage, boys are more likely to be recruited into wars.
There can also be both internal and cross-border aspects to child trafficking in armed conflict.
For example, many forms and locations of child trafficking have been observed in Syria since the conflict broke out more than a decade ago. These included the kidnapping and transfer of Yazidi girls from Iraq for sexual slavery and forced marriage, while local Syrian-Sunni families agreed to marry the girls to members of the Muslim community. ISIS members, in some cases threatened.
Children watch veterans of the paramilitary group FARC-EP, ELN, AUC, members of the Colombian Armed Forces and victims play a friendly match in Dabeiba, Antioquia (file).
Lack of responsibility
Ms. Mullally said The research addresses an important gap in policy and practice on the protection of children in armed conflict. She noted that child trafficking is considered a protection risk, or that child trafficking prevention and accountability are priorities for sustainable peace.
“The lack of accountability for child trafficking further contributes to continuing the cycle of impunity,” she added.
Recommendations for countries
The study provides recommendations for UN member states that the authors describe as “specific, targeted and timely”.
One recommendation calls for the full application of the principle of non-punishment to emphasize that trafficked children are victims and not accomplices. Therefore, early identification of victims is very important.
Other recommendations emphasize the importance of states in preventing child trafficking and ensuring lasting protection for victims, including through addressing poverty and gender inequality, ensuring universal registration of all children and the eradication of statelessness.
