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Press ReleaseJoint Statement Attributable to UNICEF Representative
UNICEF Angola & UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola Call For Immediate Release of 60 Abducted ChildrenLUANDA / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 8 May 2001 - UNICEF Angola and the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola were shocked and saddened by this past weekend's mass abduction of 60 Angolan children during an attack by an armed group near the town of Caxito, about 54 kms northeast of Luanda.
In a gross violation of their freedom and rights, the 60 children were abducted during an attack on Children's Town, a home for children run by the non-governmental organization ADPP about 10 kms outside of Caxito. The children range in age from 10-18 years and include 9 girls and 51 boys. One of their Angolan teachers was also abducted. The current welfare and whereabouts of the children and their teacher is unknown. This unprovoked act of violence, which took place in the early morning hours of Saturday 5 May, demonstrates once again that children caught in conflict zones are often the first to suffer from abuses, deprivations and casualties. In addition to a number of civilian casualties, four humanitarian workers were also killed in the attack, including an Angolan doctor working with the Italian organization COSV (Coordenação das Organizações Serviços Voluntários), and three Angolan staff members of ADPP - two teachers and a support worker. The UNICEF Representative and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Angola strongly condemn all violent attacks against children and civilians as well as attacks against the non-governmental organizations working to improve the already difficult lives faced by thousands of Angola's children and youth. The ADPP-run Children's Town, for example, is home to over 100 children and youth who participate in vocational, educational, cultural and sports activities. Unfortunately, this is not the first such attack resulting in the mass abduction of children in Angola: two similar mass abductions occurred last year in Angola, resulting in the deaths of some children, and similar abductions have taken place throughout Angola's long civil conflict. The majority of these children have never been heard from since. The motivation for these abductions is not clear. However, children abucted in conflict countries are often used by armed groups to carry goods and ammunition and to cook and clean. In the worst cases, children, particularly young girls, may be sexually abused and both girls and boys may be used in combat, whether as soldiers or as defensive shields. * * * Kent Page, UNICEF
Angola, (2442) 331-010 *** UNICEF
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