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Press Release

Call for immediate release of 21 abducted children

Friday, 14 July 2000: The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola and UNICEF Angola are shocked and saddened by this weekend's attack by a group of about 100 armed bandits on Children's Town* in Quissala, Huambo Province, Angola. This cowardly, unprovoked crime took place in the evening of 9 July 2000 and constitutes a gross violation of Angolan children's rights. It also demonstrates once again that children are often the prime and most vulnerable casualties in countries in conflict.

During the attack, one sixteen year old boy was killed and four children between 14-16 years of age were injured. These children are now being treated for their injuries at the Huambo Provincial Hospital. However, 21 other children between 11-18 years of age were abducted by the bandits and their current welfare and whereabouts are unknown. It is not clear whether the children were abducted simply to carry the goods stolen from the site (mattresses, blankets, children's possessions) or whether another motive may be involved.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola and UNICEF Angola call upon the perpetrators of this crime to ensure the safety and immediate release of the children who are simply innocent victims of the precarious security situation that continues to exist in Angola. This is the second such attack against Children's Town -- earlier this year in a similar attack, three children and one guard were killed and six children were injured. UNICEF and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) in Angola also appeal to both national and provincial authorities to pay special attention to the protection of Angolan children in such child-oriented environments.

Quissala has served as an ADPP (Ajuda de Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo) Center of Education and Development in Angola since 1991 and is situated eight kms from the provincial capital, Huambo. The ADPP-run Children's Town is home to 80 children and youth who participate in various developmental education, sports and cultural activities. However, it is noted that during this weekend's attack, the bandits did great damage to the children's sleeping quarters as well as destroying the generator and the carpenter's workshop at Children's Town, thus hampering future activities.

Funeral services for Isaias Mario, the boy who was killed in the attack, were attended by all the friends of Children's Town on 10 July. The remaining children and youths are currently being accommodated in a building provided by the Huambo provincial government until the security situation improves and their educational activities resumed on 12 July. ADPP and the children have also received support from many NGOs in Huambo Province as well as from various UN agencies in Angola in coping with the situation.

UNICEF and OCHA strongly condemn all such violent attacks against children and on non-governmental organizations which are working to improve the already difficult lives faced by many of Angola's children and youth.

* Residence, school and training centre for children and youth.

Please email media@unicef.org with comments or requests for more information, quoting CF/DOC/PR/2000/58