Sudanese refugee children. The Committee
however notes that a
comprehensive law addressing the needs of refugees is yet to be implemented
and reference is only made to the Umkulu Camp on the provision of services.
The Committee further received reports on the number of unaccompanied
Eritrean refugee children. The Committee therefore recommends that the State
Party;
Ratify international instruments safeguarding the rights of refuges and internally
displaced persons and domesticate them to ensure adequate protection for
refugees in its territory;
Provide all refugee camps in its territory with health care and educational
facilities;
Prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of refugee children;
Address the causes of unaccompanied Eritrean refugee children using a child
rights approach.
Sexual Exploitation
24. The Committee notes the State Party’s efforts with the adoption of a plan of
action against sexual exploitation and a law punishing persons who commit
sexual assault. It was however observed that rape constitutes the majority of
abuse against children taken to court. The Committee also notes that reports of
sexual harassment and rape happen particularly in military training camps and
educational institutions or during interrogations. The Committee therefore
recommends that the State Party;
Adopt appropriate measures in dealing with early pregnancy which sees girls and
their families supported whilst sexual and reproductive education is provided to
children in school and at family planning facilities;
Include in the national action plan against sexual exploitation the creation of safe
environment for children in their homes, schools and broader environment to
decrease risks of sexual exploitation;
Introduce a mechanism to ease the reporting of sexual exploitation by concerned
persons and children;
Investigate and prosecute offenders promptly.
Sale, Trafficking and Abduction
25. The Committee notes the efforts of the State Party in criminalising trafficking in,
sale and abduction of children. The Committee however notes that no data on
the rate of trafficked , number of traffickers caught along with prosecution and
conviction rates together with psychological, financial and other rehabilitative
measures are indicated in the State Party’s report. The Committee also notes
that the high number of unaccompanied Eritrean refugee children who become
victims of trafficking particularly within the Sinai Desert and in neighbouring
countries. The Committee therefore recommends that the State Party in addition
to enforcing legal mechanisms also implement measures to address the health
and trauma aspect of child victims of trafficking. The Committee also
recommends that the State Party undertake measures to address the root
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