July 13
UNITED NATIONS/SUDAN:
Unicef Calls On Sudan to Eliminate Death Penalty for Children Under 18
While lauding Sudan for including provisions in its new constitution that
strengthen the rights of children and women, the United Nations Children's
Fund (UNICEF) today called for the elimination of exceptions allowing the
death penalty for youngsters under 18.
Such exceptions contravene the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
stipulating that capital punishment should not be imposed for offences
committed by persons below 18 years of age, UNICEF Representative JoAnna
Van Gerpen said.
She also urged Sudan to specify 18 as the minimum age for military
recruitment or voluntarily joining the armed forces in line with the
Optional Protocol to the Convention, to which Sudan is a signatory.
On the positive side, she congratulated Sudan on including several
provisions recognizing that "investing in children's health and education
is a cost-effective means to accelerate the development of the country."
The right to an education is recognized in the new constitution and
Government is called on to ensure equal access to free and compulsory
primary education, she noted. Equal access to free primary health care is
also provided for and the State is to combat harmful customs and
traditions undermining the dignity and status of women.
"Though not specifically mentioned, we assume this includes female genital
cutting, which has a devastating physical and social impact on millions of
children, women and families every year," Ms. Van Gerpen said.
The Interim National Constitution was ratified by Sudan's National
Assembly and the legislative council of the formerly rebel Sudan People's
Liberation Movement (SPLM) earlier this month, following a peace accord in
January which formally ended decades of civil war in southern Sudan.
It is intended to be in effect for the six-year Interim Period provided
for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, but can be amended if supported
by 3/4 of the members of each chamber of the National Legislature.
"Ensuring conformity with the international and regional conventions that
Sudan has ratified should be a priority in the coming months," Ms. Van
Gerpen said. "This is an opportunity that should not be missed."
(source: UN News Service)
