GENEVA - A UN expert today expressed grave concern about the current escalation of conflict related trafficking in South Sudan.
"Continuing conflict has created a dire humanitarian crisis, with widespread attacks on civilians by armed actors having a disproportionate impact on children and creating an alarming child trafficking crisis," said Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and girls.
Displacement and barriers to humanitarian access are further fuelling the risks of trafficking in persons and failures of protection, with the arrival of 1.4 million people fleeing the conflict in Sudan exacerbating the protection needs already arising from the internal displacement of 1.9 million people.
"Conflict related sexual violence has become normalised," the expert said. Girls are trafficked for purposes of sexual slavery, enduring forced pregnancies with devastating health consequences. Forced recruitment of young men and boys for use in combat and support roles in hostilities, including in attacks on civilians is also widely reported.
Trafficking survivors face overwhelming barriers to healthcare, with limited or no medical or psycho-social services available, prohibitive costs, stigma, insecurity and fears of retaliation. Chronic under resourcing of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Health are further impeding services and recovery programs for survivors and child victims.
"Abductions for sexual slavery, forced recruitment, child and forced marriage and sexual exploitation are grave violations of international law that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," the expert said. "Yet access to justice for most survivors is non-existent, and continuing, widespread impunity hinders accountability, further fuelling the crisis of trafficking in persons."
Both state-aligned and opposition forces and armed groups are implicated in reports, highlighting the continuing urgency of security sector reform and a meaningful peace process.
"Impunity must end," Mullally said. "Survivor centred justice measures must be implemented, urgent measures must be taken to operationalise the African Union-mandated Hybrid Court and ensure effective access to justice for victims of all forms of conflict related trafficking in persons and the Truth Commission and Reparations Authority must be established."
Both adults and children recruited and used by armed groups and armed forces must be ensured full protection, recovery and reintegration measures. Victims and survivors of trafficking for sexual slavery, child and forced marriage must be provided with appropriate medical services including sexual and reproductive health services and must be provided with protection from reprisals and ongoing risks of re-trafficking.
Mullally's 2023 report on her country visit to South Sudan, which includes recommendations to the Government and international actors is published here.
