P07-UNHCR-ChildrenRefugees by IDIA

The Institute for Domestic and International Affairs, Inc.

United Nations High Commission for Refugees Children Refugees Director: Natalie Rana

ÂŠ 2006 Institute for Domestic & International Affairs, Inc. (IDIA) This document is solely for use in preparation for Philadelphia Model United Nations 2007. Use for other purposes is not permitted without the express written consent of IDIA. For more information, please write us at idiainfo@idia.net

Introduction _________________________________________________________________ 1 Background _________________________________________________________________ 2 Military Recruitment: Overview ____________________________________________________ 4 Case Study: Angola _______________________________________________________________ 4 Sexual Exploitation _______________________________________________________________ 6 Past Actions______________________________________________________________________ 9

Current Status ______________________________________________________________ 11 Recent Action ___________________________________________________________________ 12 Underlying Factors Behind the Child Refugee Crisis ___________________________________ 14

Bloc Positions_______________________________________________________________ 14 Asia ___________________________________________________________________________ 15 The Middle East _________________________________________________________________ 15 European Union (EU) ____________________________________________________________ 16 The Americas and the Caribbean ___________________________________________________ 17 Africa__________________________________________________________________________ 18

Summary___________________________________________________________________ 20 Discussion Questions _________________________________________________________ 21 Works Cited ________________________________________________________________ 22

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Introduction Due to the ethnic and cultural conflicts throughout Africa, the refugee crisis has been ongoing and difficult to alleviate. Since decolonization, countries such as Burundi, Angola, C么te d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia have been the source of refugees caused by civil wars and political violence stemming from government corruption and lack of economic aid. The refugees that suffer most because of these conflicts are young children. Oftentimes they are left without parental guidance and must survive in camps and on country borders off of very limited resources. They are surrounded by horrific scenes of death and violence and are susceptible to influence by locals, government officials, aid workers, militant groups and armies. One of the primary effects of refugee status on children relates to their psychological well-being during and after life in refugee camps. They must endure arid conditions, sudden changes in weather patterns, and food shortages; this is a very discouraging environment to live in and causes much mental distress. Since children are growing and developing mentally, deprivation of fundamental resources such as food and water can cause them to become delirious. Refugee children are also exposed to an extensive amount of gore and violence, often witnessing the death of loved ones. Psychologically, this can cause children to distrust all of the people surrounding them or make them very impressionable, negatively affecting the rest of their lives. Either way, it is difficult for refugee children to be reintegrated into society and to go on living a normal life if they have dealt with extremely emotional and dramatic events at such an early age. By being constantly subjected to violence and death, these children are being deprived of their innocence and childhood. Another concern of the situation of refugee children is their integration into militant groups and armed forces, either of the government or rebel groups. They usually will not admit that they were forced to take up arms; however, it is very hard to imagine a child wanting to risk his or her life for a country or cause that they have no tie or

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connection to. If they do so unforced, then it is a clear example of the susceptibility of the youth living in refugee camps. They see no other future for themselves and therefore join the armed forces to give them purpose. Children are used as tools of armies and rebel groups because they are seen as expendable. Most of them do not survive armed conflict and if they do, they obviously endure a considerable amount of psychological damage. In terms of physical growth, malnutrition and rationed food supplies cause many refugee children to go hungry; thus, their growth is often stunted, and many children die from a lack of nutrition. Refugee children throughout Africa have been victims of UN food cuts due to budget decisions. As there was not enough food to prevent malnutrition in refugee camps in the first place, further reductions in the amount of food available only worsens the situation. Because of these food shortages, children are forced to become creative in their search for nourishment, sometimes offering themselves or their bodies to others in exchange for food. Many international bodies and organizations have been implicated in these scandals, additionally complicating the situation as it becomes clear that some organizations sent to help the children are actually the ones creating the problems they are supposed to be helping to solve. Lastly, education for children in refugee camps is virtually non-existent. The economic and political infrastructure of most African countries that are home to refugees is typically lacking, making education of refugee children a low priority. Programs have been suggested and implemented, but have been generally unsuccessful due to the fact that resources, such as books, and staff are unavailable. Consequently, refugee children are facing a daunting future, as they will not be able to seek skilled employment. Additionally, the future of the economic and political status of these countries looks grim because of the large child refugee population that will eventually make-up the middleaged population.

Background A refugee, as defined explicitly by the Organization of African Unity Convention

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Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, is: [a] person, who, owing to external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order in either part of the whole of his country of origin or nationality, is compelled to leave his place of habitual residence in order to seek refuge in another place outside his country of origin or nationality.”1

These refugees have been fleeing their countries of origin since the decolonization of the African continent, due to violent conflicts spurring from political and ethnic strife. As Amnesty International states, governments in the midst of conflict often neglect human rights abuses within their country as they frantically attempt to deal with the pressing violent situation within their borders.2 These governments are often reluctant to accept UN mandates and international involvement regarding treatment of refugees, as they do not want the human rights abuses taking place within their state exposed to the international community. While the refugee experience is one shared by a large population within states encountering such problems, the world community must focus on the children that are being adversely affected. The last case-specific statistic release by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in July 2001 revealed that children below the age of eighteen comprised 56 per cent of the refugee population in Africa.3 While the statistics may be shocking, attention should be directed to the hardships the refugee youth of Africa must endure. In addition to simply looking at these young refugees as children, it must be considered that many of them are also living in camps without their parents. Due to the conditions faced when fleeing from turmoil and conflict, it is very likely that children will be separated from their families, more importantly their parents. The UN has called

African Union, “Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa,” African Union, www.africa-union.org/Official_documents/Treaties_%20Conventions_%20Protocols/Refugee_Convention.pdf (accessed October 9, 2006). 2 Amnesty International, “Africa: In Search of Safety,” Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR010051997?open&of=ENG-MLI (accessed October 9, 2006) 3 UNHCR, “Women, Children and Older Refugees,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/3b9378e518.pdf (accessed October 10, 2006)

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these people “unaccompanied children” or “unaccompanied minors.” Unaccompanied children are defined as “girls and boys under 18 years of age who are separated from both parents and are not being cared for by an adult who by law or by custom is responsible for doing so.”4 These children have no in-depth knowledge of their rights and may be under the false impression that they do not have many of the rights enjoyed by other refugees. Moreover, they are lacking the support and guidance generally given them by their guardians.

Military Recruitment: Overview The distraught psychological state of child refugees leaves them susceptible to recruitment by militant groups in search of soldiers. Because most children living in refugee camps have been separated from their parents or guardians, they are often very impressionable and are thus left with limited options in terms of their futures. Militia groups are able to offer children food and a chance at an exciting life, whereas their circumstances in the refugee camps remind them of their limited potential in life. It is important to note that an Optional Protocol drafted in 2000 to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child deals explicitly with children in armed conflict, making it strictly illegal for young children to be active in military operations. This protocol has only been ratified by 101 states, and has been widely violated in African conflicts.5

Case Study: Angola Angola is perhaps one of the most prominent examples of the use of child refugees as soldiers in Africa. While most European colonies in Africa had been granted their independence after World War II, Angola remained under the colonial rule of Portugal until 1975. The struggle for independence was split between three forces: The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the National Front for the Liberation of 4

UN GA, “Assistance to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors,” UN GA, http://www.unhcr.org/excom/EXCOM/43bce4782.pdf (accessed October 9, 2006). 5 Ibid

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Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence (UNITA). While the three groups collectively shared the goal of independence, they had different political ideals and plans for the future of Angola. Eventually the FNLA no longer posed a military threat and a civil war continued for over 35 years between the MPLA and the UNITA.6 Throughout the war both militant groups forced children to fight for their armies. These were often children that had either been separated from their families in an attempt to leave the war-ravaged country or were forcibly removed from their families and made to pick up arms. Justin Pearce of BBC news encountered a young man named Jose who had fought with UNITA during the civil war. He would not say if he was forced to comply with UNITA soldiers, but he did say that he fought in his first battle at age fourteen.7 These children suffer extreme psychological and traumatic effects. They witness violence and bloodshed before they have fully developed physically and mentally. In the words of Abubakar Sultan, a child protection officer for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2002, “It's extremely complex...[These] are children who were kidnapped from their families, and still you might have children who were born and brought up in a context of violence.”8 The average adult often experiences difficulties with the traumatizing effects of war after serving time in the army. This being said, one can only imagine the toll these effects take on the mind of a child. Therefore it is vital that these children receive psychological help before being reintegrated into society. While this seems obvious, the international community has made little mention of help for children in this context. Situations similar to the one in Angola are also occurring in such African countries as Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Sierra 6

Trade and Environment Database, “Case Number 32: Angola,” Trade and Environment Database, www.american.edu/ted/ice/angola.htm (accessed September 12, 2006). 7 Justin Pearce, “No-one fighting for Angola's child soldiers,” BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2491619.stm (accessed September 14, 2006). 8 Ibid.

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Leone, Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia. Once children become members of the armed forces, they undergo rigorous training. Oftentimes these children do not survive training due to the harsh conditions of the camps and the amount of work they are forced to do on a daily basis.

Immediately after primary training, they are sent to the front lines.

Amnesty International spoke to Jean-Noel R who joined the Burundian army at age 15 and abandoned due to mental health problems. In regards to his experience in the army, he said, “Everything in the army is done through fear. I didn’t want to do the things I did. All I did was through fear. Congo was the worst. I saw too many things ... I am very tired.” 9

Sexual Exploitation Besides becoming tools of local and rebel armies, child refugees face serious physical abuse from a number of sources. They become easy targets of sexual abuse, especially young girls. Oftentimes this type of exploitation happens because the children are told that their sexual services are necessary in order to provide them with the food and aid that they are given. Aid workers exploit the leverage and control they have over refugee children, as the children require the resources they provide. This is another instance in which human rights violations occur and are not necessarily addressed. Because the international community is a vital source of humanitarian aid, it is difficult to deal with such violations while maintaining a high level of international involvement. In February 2002, the UNHCR and Save the Children released findings of a joint assessment team that was sent to West Africa following allegations of sexual exploitation of child refugees.10 They reported that “some 1,600 children gave statements, [accusing] 67 workers in 40 agencies of offering food and medicine in return for sexual favors.”11 9

Amnesty International, “Africa: Day of the African Child: the unending plight of child soldiers,” Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR010122004?open&of=ENG-364 (accessed September 12, 2006). 10 UNHCR, “Extensive abuse of West African refugee children reported,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=3c7bf8094 (accessed September 12, 2006). 11 Sarah Coleman, “West Africa: Sex-for-Food Scandal,” World Press Review 49, no. 5 (2002). http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/509.cfm

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As this particular assessment was not an investigation and was thus not carried out in an in-depth manner, the results could not be taken as seriously as many international leaders and organizations would have liked them to be. Following the report, similar allegations have been looked into and investigated, but it is shocking how little has been done in the way of preventing such practices.

What makes this issue even more serious and

disturbing is the fact that UN aid workers, including members of the UNHCR, have been implicated in the scandal as well. Because the refugees have become increasingly dependent on the food and medical help they receive, it is difficult for them to change the ways in which they obtain this humanitarian aid. It is vital to understand that poverty and malnutrition are at the root of the sexual exploitation that continues to take place in Africa. One woman was quoted saying, “I am a mother of seven children and when the food finishes my youngest child keeps crying and pulling on my skirt, what do you think you can do if your daughter brings you some?”12 Clearly, refugees look past issues of morality when providing sex for fundamental resources because it has become a last resort for survival. Oftentimes young girls are impregnated while participating in “transactional” sex, additionally complicating the overpopulation and health issues already present in refugee camps. These girls are unlikely to seek family planning services due to extreme poverty.13 Furthermore, sexual exploitation leads to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and AIDS. These children clearly lack the education and knowledge necessary to understand the consequences of sexual abuse. Even if they did, in many situations it would not matter, as they must partake in such acts involuntarily. While it is clear that child refugees have simply accepted that they must provide (accessed September 10, 2006). 12 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Reports that child refugees sexually exploited shock Annan,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=23126&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=GUINEALIBERIA-SIERRA_LEONE (accessed September 13, 2006). 13 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “HIV/AIDS cuts across all humanitarian requirements,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/civilprotect/HIVcp2.asp (accessed September 12, 2006).

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some resource in order to get what they need to survive, even when that “resource” is in the form of sexual acts, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate the problem. Primarily, the humanitarian aid crisis in Africa must be eased and improved. Once food and medicine become more readily available to refugees, they will not need to provide outsiders with sexual services. Such organizations as Save the Children have expanded their aid in Africa following reports of exploitation and abuse. Save the Children has more actively engaged in projects in Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Sudan and Uganda.

They have piloted education, economic-

opportunity, health, and food programs dating as far back as 1977.14 Although some organizations have stepped up their roles in providing humanitarian aid to Africa, other members of the international community have failed to do so. With a lack of food and the expansion of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the lives of millions of Africans are at stake. Most refugees are willing to test for HIV/AIDS but once they receive their results, they are not provided with further resources and care.15 The future of reproductive health is daunting due to the amount of young girls that are being infected through sexual exploitation and are passing the disease to their newborn children. Second to humanitarian aid, education has been suggested as a way to give these children a brighter future and an alternative to sexual slavery and armed conflict. One of the most well- known attempts at implementing an education program is the Complementary Rapid Education Primary School (CREPS) program, developed by UNICEF. CREPS was designed for children in Sierra Leone who could not receive schooling during the war, either because they were engaged in combat or remained at refugee camps. Therefore, it purposely combines six years of education into a rigorous three-year program. While the idea seems viable, implementing it in a country with

Save the Children, “Africa,” Save the Children, http://www.savethechildren.org/countries/africa/index.asp (accessed September 12, 2006). 15 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “HIV/AIDS cuts across all humanitarian requirements,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/civilprotect/HIVcp2.asp (accessed September 12, 2006).

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virtually no educational infrastructure is impossible.16 In Sierra Leone, the criteria for training teachers in some refugee camps had not yet been developed, creating a teacher shortage and causing the CREPS program to fall apart.17 The one element that ties all of these issues together is simply a lack of resources. If more organizations increase funding and humanitarian aid throughout Africa, refugee children can live a more healthy life with a basic form of education. The main reason for the failure of CREPS was the inability of UNICEF to provide teachers and other resources necessary to implement such a rigorous education program. Similarly, the UN should continue disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation, and family tracing programs to help child soldiers that have been taken from refugee camps and separated from their families.18 If the international community can rise to the challenge, there is hope that headway can be made in the child refugee crisis.

Past Actions The UN and, more specifically, the UNHCR, has been dealing with the refugee situation in Africa extensively since shortly after its establishment in 1950. For example, in November 1998, the Security Council passed a resolution requesting support from the UNHCR, member states, and “regional and sub-regional organizations and other relevant international bodies and organizations and to keep it informed about developments in Africa related to the security and civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements.”19 While the content of the resolution was operational, the focus was aimed at solely informing those involved of progress relating to the situation. The 16

Refugees International, “Long-Term Peace in Sierra Leone Dependent on Access to Education Opportunities,” Refugees International, http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/679/?PHPSESSID=3fc64258eda9d44c2 (accessed September 12, 2006). 17 Ibid. 18 UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Amnesty International stresses need to help child soldiers,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=41097&SelectRegion=West_Africa (accessed September 18, 2006). 19 UN Security Council, “UN Security Council Resolution 1208,” Global Action on Aging, http://www.globalaging.org/armedconflict/countryreports/africa/1208.htm (accessed October 10, 2006).

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UNHCR is an increasingly research-centric body, as it constantly follows up on operations in Africa. While this is important and provides a slate to work off of, in terms of writing resolutions, the funding and monetary requirements of projects carried out in Africa need to be addressed. The awareness is there and the international community recognizes the pressing issue of refugees in Africa; therefore, it is necessary to encourage increased participation. The most pressing area where funding becomes an issue is in the realm of humanitarian aid, specifically food aid. With regard to food, the UNHCR works in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide aid in African refugee camps. While the protection and aid of African refugees falls under the jurisdiction of the UNHCR, other global refugee crises do as well. Therefore, when new emergencies present themselves in other places throughout the world, funding must be redistributed. For example, in a news release in February 2003, the UNHCR and WFP warned of shortfalls in funding due to potential conflict in Iraq.20 The release enumerated the consequences of such a conflict and how it would further complicate the already thinly spread funding received by both of the bodies. One of these warnings dealt specifically with food cuts in Kenya. The new release pointed out that Kenya had already suffered a 25 per cent food cut despite the presence of over 8,000 malnourished children, and many more on the verge, in the state.21 In terms of medical assistance, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been constantly involved in supplying resources and counseling to refugees.

For

instance, in Mbekweni, South Africa, refugees from Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia live among the locals. These people had been facing problems due to the fact that aid was not

UNHCR, â&#x20AC;&#x153;WFP and UNHCR Call for Urgent Aid for Refugees in Africa,â&#x20AC;? UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/3e4cf9362.pdf (accessed October 9, 2006). 21 Ibid.

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institutionalized and resources coming from the international community were scarce.22 However, in 2003, the Catholic Welfare and Development Organization set up an advice office where they offer AIDS/HIV and domestic violence counseling.23 While this is only one example of a medical counseling effort, such efforts have been occurring throughout Africa and have been sponsored by a wide range of NGOs. While the idea of such counseling and resources is a good one, many governments do not accept this form of aid from the international community. Therefore, it is difficult to propose and enforce such solutions in areas where this type of aid is unwanted.

Current Status Since the problems regarding child refugees are long standing and well known among the members of the international community, one would think that at least some of them have been resolved, but this is unfortunately far from the truth. In fact, many of the circumstances for child refugees have worsened in the past year, as the availability of aid in the form of medicine and food have reached all time lows. At the start of 2006, the UNHCR stated that the persons of concern (includes refugees, asylum seekers, some internally displaced people and returnees) hit 20.8 million, a 6 per cent increase since 2005.24 Currently, 5,169,300 of these 20.8 million people are located in Africa.25 Refugees International, one of the many humanitarian aid organizations engaged in Africa, relates food and aid shortages to a decreased level of international involvement. Because harvests are often unsuccessful due to drought and lack of resources, Refugee International predicts that “nearly 12 million [South Africans] face acute food shortages if relief efforts are not rapidly scaled up.”26 22

UNHCR, “Refugees in South Africa: Great Expectations vs. Great Frustrations,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/3ea95bca4.html (accessed October 9, 2006). 23 Ibid. 24 UNHCR, “Refugees by Numbers 2006 edition,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/basics/BASICS/3b028097c.html (accessed October 9, 2006). 25 Ibid. 26 Refugees International, “Southern Africa Food Crisis Deepens,” Refugees International, http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/7770 (accessed September 13, 2006).

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While states all over the world have experienced recent food cuts by international donors, African states face the most severe consequences. InterAction, a working group partnered with the UNHCR, released some shocking statistics regarding ration cuts throughout Africa, reporting: In October 2004, maize and pulse rations were cut by 25 percent in 13 refugee camps in Tanzania. A recent UNHCR-WFP (World Food Programme) mission in November found increasing rates of malnutrition among 400,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees in Tanzania. Meanwhile, the distribution of cereal and pulses was cut in half for refugees in Zambia in late 2004. This may be followed by further reductions in the overall food ration for Zambia’s refugees, putting as many as 87,000 at risk of malnutrition.27

Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo face similarly daunting futures, as the main players in the international community, the greatest aid donors, face budget cuts.28 Because malnutrition is such a pressing issue on its own, many fail to see the other implications it has for child refugees. As food shortages increase and families become more desperate for food, children are forced to resort to sexual exploitation in order to acquire it.

Recent Action With regard to sexual exploitation, in April 2004 the General Assembly of the UN reported on guidelines that had been developed to make sure that sexual abuse would not be tolerated. The UN set up a system in which a sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) focal point would oversee each humanitarian project that was within its jurisdiction.29 Additionally, the UNHCR has stepped up security measures and ensured that more women are being sent to distribute food and medicine to refugee camps. Since the development of these guidelines, more specifications have been made and others have been slightly altered. While the idea of having these regulations is, in

American Council for Voluntary International Action, “Migration and Refugees,” InterAction, http://www.interaction.org/unhcr/issues.html (accessed September 12, 2006). 28 Ibid. 29 UN GA, “Special measure for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse,” PeaceWomen, www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/discipline/SGreportsexexpApr2004.pdf (accessed September 14, 2006).

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principle, a good one, they have not been implemented as rigorously as originally intended. Therefore, sexual exploitation and abuse has continued to occur in African refugee camps. In November 2005, The UNHCR Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit (EPAU) released an evaluation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers sent to refugee camps in Guinea. This evaluation revealed that the RCMP had failed in its mission to provide assistance in part due to a sex scandal, and its officers were consequently dismissed from their positions.30 Therefore, it is clear that many of the issues that have existed since the presence of refugees are still present, and in some situations have worsened. In reference to the rights of unaccompanied minors, work has been done to obtain a clearer knowledge of these rights. The 1989 Convention of the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols of 2000 help determine the framework and content of solutions (regarding the protection of child rights) drafted by the UNHCR and other bodies it works with. The vulnerable nature of these refugee children has been further addressed in a combined drafting of a general comment of the UNHCR and The Committee on the Rights of the Child in June of 2005.31 This applied the Convention of the Rights of the Child more directly to the problem of unaccompanied minors in a refugee situation. This is an important effort, as international standards are shaped by the work of the UN. An area where the UNHCR and NGOs have experienced much success in is psychological aid for child refugees. They have held conferences and meetings with children to help them verbalize their present fears and the traumatic events they experienced in the past. While this exercise may seems trivial, it helps children cope with the reality of their past, present, and future. In June 2006, The Suitcase Stories: refugee children reclaim their identities, a book documenting stories and experiences of 30

UNHCR, “Joint Evaluation of the Government of Canada and UNHCR on the deployment of RCMP officers to refugee camps in Guinea,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/research/opendoc.pdf?tbl=RESEARCH&id=43843d012 (accessed September 12, 2006). 31 UN GA, “Assistance to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors,” UN GA, http://www.unhcr.org/excom/EXCOM/43bce4782.pdf (accessed October 9, 2006).

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refugee children, was released with the support of the UNHCR. The proceeds do go towards promoting such activities with more children. While this one example cannot help all of the African refugee children, it is one way to raise money for aid programs and represents a small but positive step in the right direction.

Underlying Factors Behind the Child Refugee Crisis Because the boundaries of African countries combine and divide different ethnic groups, the presence of strife is inevitable. Child refugees experience discrimination in schools based on their ethnicity and/or their refugee status. At the Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children in South Africa in July 2005, two children explained the discrimination they faced in the classroom. They explained that on a day when they were not excessively bullied by classmates, they would face inappropriate remarks from their teachers.32 This type of treatment prevents child refugees from returning to normalcy in the classroom, which serves as break from their refugee lives. Additionally, and most importantly, the involvement of the international community remains low. Although many countries do give large sums of money to organizations such as the UNHCR and the WFP, it is nearly impossible to provide enough money to aid African refugees to a point where they can maintain high standards of health. This is usually because countries are dealing with refugee crises within their own borders, making it difficult to give aid to Africa. Therefore, it is important that reform must come from within the African countries themselves.

This reform, in

addition to humanitarian aid provided by the international community, can more effectively alleviate the refugee crisis.

Bloc Positions While Africa contains most of the worlds' refugees, the rest of the international community has experienced and continues to struggle with their own refugee situations. 32

UNHCR, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Refugees share views on preventing violence against children,â&#x20AC;? UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/42de506b4.html (accessed October 10, 2006).

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Because many countries have refugee populations, the crisis in Africa is seen as a pressing one and receives a growing amount of international attention. However, it is important to remember that despite international efforts, humanitarian aid is still lacking.

Asia Similar to Africa, many Asian states struggle to help child refugees in their own borders. Currently, the ongoing situation in Bhutan shares many of the same ethnic and cultural conflicts as those that pervade the continent of Africa. However, in 1998, the King of Bhutan created the Youth Development fund and has since allowed children to attend primary school for free. Such acts display the commitment that is, and should be, given to children in the country.33 Asia has been working closely with Africa to alleviate problems that promote the continuation of such refugee crises. For example, in April 20005 an Asian-African Summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia to symbolize the growing partnership between the two continents and to launch the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.34 This document “[called] for closer economic and social integration between the two continents and stepped-up cooperation in the fight against poverty, corruption, and terrorism.”35 Hopefully, joint effort from both continents will achieve the goals laid out in the NewAsian-African Strategic Partnership, thus aiding the refugee crisis attacks the root of the problem. This attempt is exemplary and expresses Asia’s willingness to aid the refugee crisis in Africa.

The Middle East The Middle East has been criticized for human rights violations by means of

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “Bhutan: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” US Department of State, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41739.htm (accessed September 24, 2006). 34 Department of Foreign Affairs, “Departure Statement of the Hon. Roberto G. Romulo: Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” Department of Foreign Affairs, http://www.dfa.gov.ph/archive/speech/romulo/asianafricansummit.htm (accessed September 24, 2006). 35 Africa Watch, “Africa and Asia: Regions Build Stronger Ties,” Africa Watch, http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol19no2/192_watch.htm (accessed September 24, 2006).

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armed conflict and political strife and violence leading to the loss of civilian lives.36 However, the Middle East has become cognizant of this fact and has worked toward alleviating such violations. In an attempt to revise the Arab Charter on Human Rights, the League of Arab Sates adopted new text to expand the scope of human rights in May 2004.37 However, the rights of minors in reference to torture and the death penalty fail to match up with international standards. In June 2004, at the G8 summit, the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative was introduced by the United States. The Congressional Report calls it “a multilateral development and reform plan aimed at fostering economic and political liberalization in a wide geographic area of Arab and non-Arab Muslim countries.”38 The Middle East and many other regions emphasize the importance of NGO involvement and political reform to achieve these means.

European Union (EU) Throughout the refugee crisis in Africa, the EU has given the most amount of humanitarian aid, whether in the form of supplies or monetary donations. In 2005, the EU donated humanitarian aid that amounted to over USD $104 million. These aid packages were sent to victims in Coastal West Africa, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania. The EU targets a wide range of humanitarian issues with these packages, including health, water sanitation, lack of essential supplies, protection and safe return, and resettlement.39 Additionally, in June 2004, the United Kingdom (UK) Secretary for International Development Hilary Benn visited Darfur, “undoubtedly the largest humanitarian crisis in

Amnesty International, “Middle East and North Africa: Regional Overview 2004,” Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/2md-index-eng (accessed September 22, 2006). 37 Oxford Journals, “The Revised Arab Charter on Human Rights: A Step Forward?” Oxford Journals, http://hrlr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/5/2/361 (accessed September 25, 2006). 38 Congressional Research Service, “The Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative: An Overview,” Congressional Research Service, http://www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/RS22053.pdf (accessed September 25, 2006). 39 European Union at the UN, “EU Humanitarian Aid for Africa,” European Union at the UN, http://www.europaeu-un.org/articles/en/article_4249_en.htm (accessed September 24, 2006).

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the world.”40 He witnessed the daunting health conditions of the children in the area, while some neared death and others could barely stomach the food aid they were provided. Benn indicated that these conditions were due to shortfalls in aid by the rest of the world. While he criticized the involvement of the international community, he did say that the UK was working it's hardest to help the refugees in Sudan.41

The Americas and the Caribbean While it may seem that the United States (US) would not be able to relate to the situation in Africa, Hurricane Katrina changed this sentiment. The rising water and treacherous winds from Katrina left many residents stranded without food, water, and shelter. This natural disaster subjected US citizens to refugee-like conditions as they were forced to seek refuge in local shelters such as the Superdome, where about 15,000 people stayed.42 It is important to recognize that hurricanes throughout the Americas and the Caribbean do cause locals to become refugees, even though their status has no relation to war and violence. The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have given extensive aid to about fifteen countries in Africa. Their website enumerates their efforts in Africa, including technical support, health aid, support programs, and assistance to other aid organizations and teams including the UN, the Institute of Child Health, and the American Refugee Committee (ARC).43 The ongoing refugee crisis in South America is another issue that the international community is currently dealing with. More specifically, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela are either receiving asylum seekers or coping with their own crises within their borders. These refugees face many of the same fears, such as discrimination and deportation due to limited protection from outside 40

BBC News, “Sudanese Children Dying of Hunger,” BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3790559.stm (accessed September 24, 2006). 41 Ibid. 42 CNN News, “New Orleans Shelters to be Evacuated,” CNN News, http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/30/katrina/index.html (accessed September 25, 2006). 43 Department of Health and Human Services, “Africa,” Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ierh/Countries/Africa%20Map.htm (accessed September 24, 2006).

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agencies and organizations.44 Due to these fears, by the end of 2005, there were about 500,000 Colombians who sought refuge in neighboring countries. The UNHCR has been providing their services to these Latin American countries in the form of health care, food, and hygienic supplies. Meanwhile, NGOs and other agencies have been able to give limited aid in the form of sexual education and psychological help; however, funding for such projects is limited.45 States in Latin America and the Caribbean face issues very similar to those of African states in addressing the child refugee crisis; therefore, such states understand the plight of African states and the consequences of lack of international aid.

Africa Since Africa is the focal point of the committee, this section will look into the efforts that have occurred throughout the continent and the willingness to accept humanitarian aid. One of the most important displays of African cooperation was the African Parliamentary Conference: “Refugees in Africa: The Challenges of Protection and Solutions.” This conference took place from 1 June 2004 to 3 June 2004 in Cotonou, Benin, and was co-organized by the UNHCR and the African Parliamentary Union. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness and propose durable solutions.46 This is important to recognize, as African governments have in the past resorted to seeking more immediate and temporary solutions out of desperation.

Some 26 African countries

attended the conference, including: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo and Uganda.

Additionally, ten other organizations were in attendance, such as the African Union (AU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, the conference brought together 44

UNHCR, “Northern South America,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/publ/opendoc.pdf?tbl=PUBL&id=4492677a0#search=%22northern%20south%20america%20Colombi a%20refugees%22 (accessed September 24, 2006). 45 Ibid. 46 UNHCR, “Refugees in Africa: The Challenges of Protection and Solutions,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/publ/PUBL/425e7ab14.pdf (accessed October 9, 2006).

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members of the international community to work with African states in attacking the refugee problem at a variety of angles. These states resolved to protect refugees from discrimination in all social realms, before and after reintegration. In order to work towards this goal, they pledged to uphold international norms in terms of refugee protection as explicitly stated in treaties, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law.47 While the documentation of the conference makes it appear to be largely successful, it is difficult to evaluate the results of such a diverse agreement. Many of the points brought up at the meeting involved help from outside sources. Therefore, the countries that participated in the conference have called upon the international community to assist them in combating the refugee crisis. Since some countries are less likely to allow aid workers to come in and establish more permanent programs within their borders than others, temporary aid is looked upon more favorably. This includes monetary donations to intermediary organizations that can provide basic resources, such as food, shelter and medical supplies. Such aid will ensure that the refugee population can at least maintain a higher level of health and well-being.

Ibid.

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Summary Africa has more than 6.5 million displaced people across the continent. Of these people, the most vulnerable members of the refugee population are children. They are seen as the future of militant and rebel groups or as targets of aggression for local governments, armies, and aid workers.

Therefore, it is imperative the international

community provides the aid that local governments fail to supply. The fact that the UNHCR and other renowned NGOs have been implicated in sex scandals should be an eye-opener to the world. If the international community cannot help these refugee children, the children are at the disposal of their governments and possibly rebel groups within their countries.

They will continue to suffer from

malnutrition and diseases that cannot be remedied due to a lack of funding and the improper actions of aid organizations. Therefore, the UNHCR has attempted to impose more restrictions and security measures on aid organizations in order to prevent such scandals from continuing and occurring in the future. Countries from all over the world have been reaching out to Africa in hopes of alleviating the refugee crisis. However, government corruption and ethnic and political conflicts continue to create more refugees. While refugee crises impact the middle aged and elderly, they have a considerably more pervasive effect on children. Child refugees are deprived of their childhoods, forced to live in unbearable conditions, and sometimes forced to fight for a cause they cannot comprehend or give sexual favors in return for food. Refugee children are mentally weak and susceptible to outside influences, especially in absence of their parents. They will grow up uneducated and stranded without hopes of future employment and success. This issue is a determining factor for the economic, social, and political future of countries with large child refugee populations.

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Discussion Questions • How does your nation feel that the sex scandals in Africa should be dealt with? • How would your country go about remedying the problem of UN or NGO budget cuts (causing food cuts)? • How does your country feel about international standards for children? • What is your country’s policy regarding treatment of children? • How has your country been involved in the different refugee crises throughout Africa? • Does your country provide any form of aid to Africa? If not, why hasn’t your country become involved and are you willing to become involved in the future? • What kind of solutions would your nation offer in terms of education for refugee children? • How does your country feel about alleviating the ethnic/political conflicts that pervade Africa? • What are some solutions that your country would offer to the problem of child refugees? • Does your nation feel that there is a difference between the experiences of an adult refugee and child refugee? Should children receive different treatment than adults in a refugee camp scenario? If so, in which way would your country go about doing this? • How does your country feel that NGOs and other organizations can adjust their policies and past ideas to more effectively help child refugees? • What does your nation feel is the best way to help unaccompanied minors? • How should the UN deal with countries that do not honor international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

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Works Cited African Union, “Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa,” African Union, www.africaunion.org/Official_documents/Treaties_%20Conventions_%20Protocols/Refugee_ Convention.pdf American Council for Voluntary International Action, “Migration and Refugees,” InterAction, http://www.interaction.org/unhcr/issues.html Amnesty International, “Africa: Day of the African Child: the unending plight of child soldiers,” Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR010122004?open&of=ENG-364 Amnesty International, “Africa: In Search of Safety,” Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGAFR010051997?open&of=ENG-MLI Coleman, Sarah. “West Africa: Sex-for-Food Scandal.” World Press Review 49, no. 5 (2002). http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/509.cfm Pearce, Justin, “No-one fighting for Angola's child soldiers,” BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2491619.stm Refugees International, “Long-Term Peace in Sierra Leone Dependent on Access to Education Opportunities,” Refugees International, http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/679/?PHPSESSID=3fc 64258eda9d44c2 Refugees International, “Southern Africa Food Crisis Deepens,” Refugees International, http://www.refugeesinternational.org/content/article/detail/7770 Save the Children, “Africa,” Save the Children, http://www.savethechildren.org/countries/africa/index.asp Trade and Environment Database, “Case Number 32: Angola,” Trade and Environment Database, www.american.edu/ted/ice/angola.htm UN GA, “Assistance to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors,” UN GA, http://www.unhcr.org/excom/EXCOM/43bce4782.pdf

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UN GA, “Special measure for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse,” PeaceWomen, www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/discipline/SGreportsexexpApr2004.pdf UNHCR, “Extensive abuse of West African refugee children reported,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=3c7bf8094 UNHCR, “Joint Evaluation of the Government of Canada and UNHCR on the deployment of RCMP officers to refugee camps in Guinea,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/research/opendoc.pdf?tbl=RESEARCH&id=43843d012 UNHCR, “Refugees by Numbers 2006 edition,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/basics/BASICS/3b028097c.html UNHCR, “Refugees in South Africa: Great Expectations vs. Great Frustrations,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/3ea95bca4.html UNHCR, “Refugees share views on preventing violence against children,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/42de506b4.html UNHCR, “WFP and UNHCR Call for Urgent Aid for Refugees in Africa,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/3e4cf9362.pdf UNHCR, “Women, Children and Older Refugees,” UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/3b9378e518.pdf UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Amnesty International stresses need to help child soldiers,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=41097&SelectRegion=West_Africa UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “HIV/AIDS cuts across all humanitarian requirements,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/civilprotect/HIVcp2.asp UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Reports that child refugees sexually exploited shock Annan,” UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=23126&SelectRegion=West_Africa &SelectCountry=GUINEA-LIBERIA-SIERRA_LEONE

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UN Security Council, “UN Security Council Resolution 1208,” Global Action on Aging, http://www.globalaging.org/armedconflict/countryreports/africa/1208.htm