Statement by UN Human Rights and UNICEF
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The United Nations Human Rights Office for South America (OHCHR) and UNICEF's Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office express their deep concern and solidarity with the families of four children, aged 11 to 15, who are alleged victims of an enforced disappearance during a military operation in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
They urge the Government of Ecuador to exhaust all available mechanisms to conduct a thorough, swift, and impartial investigation in accordance with international human rights standards, to locate the children and reunite them with their families immediately.
By ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, States are obligated to protect the rights of all children and adolescents. Whenever an adolescent is detained, they must ensure they have access to a specialised juvenile justice system. The enforced disappearance and illegal detention of children and adolescents are not justifiable under any circumstances.
The UN Human Rights Office and UNICEF will continue to provide technical assistance to the Government of Ecuador to prevent and address potential human rights violations involving children and adolescents.
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