A/HRC/4/72
page 13
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Abduction may affect internally displaced boys and girls differently: boys are more
frequently engaged in combat and other military activities; while girls may also fight on the
front lines, they are more vulnerable to abduction for sexual purposes and forced marriage;
Abduction of internally displaced children often occurs near or inside IDP camps and
schools.
48. The Representative made, inter alia, the following recommendations:
• Each unaccompanied and separated child should be registered;
• Vulnerable children with particular or compelling protection needs should be identified;
• Effective reporting and referral mechanisms for incidents of abuse, exploitation and
military recruitment of children must be established;
• The collection, assessment and monitoring of data should be disaggregated by age and
sex;
• Displaced children should be informed about plans being made for them, including
placing and care, tracing and family reunification. Moreover, displaced children and
adolescents should be consulted and participate in needs assessments, aid distribution and
the design, monitoring and evaluation of assistance programmes;
• Special efforts should be made to ensure full and equal participation of girls in education
programmes;
• Special efforts should be made to provide outlets for creative and social activities, as well
as educational and training opportunities for adolescents and young people;
• Extra consideration should be given to monitoring the reintegration of ex-combatant
children and adolescents within the displaced community.
Sexual exploitation
49. The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in
carrying out its mandate also pays special attention to the issue of abduction of children.
50. UNHCR reported on the situation prevailing in camps in Sierra Leone, with particular
reference to traumatized girls who experienced multiple violations of their rights which
sometimes was the result of a combination of abduction, captivity, exposure to inhuman acts and
severe sexual abuse by fighters. UNHCR also referred to the the fact that it had not been
easy to counsel some of these children, especially those who are still emotionally attached
to their former abductors.
Forced labour
51. The 2005 ILO publication “A global alliance against forced labour”,4 draws attention to the
links between armed conflict and forced labour. It states that “forced labour and services can
also be imposed by the State in the context of armed conflict. In some African countries, there
have been widespread reports of forced abduction and conscription into government and
government-supported military groups, as well as insurgent forces, together with the use of adult
and child forced labour” (p. 25).
52. The same report provides allegations of abduction in Sudan, stating that “there were
continuing reports of abductions and slavery in late 2004, particularly in the region south of
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