883 children released from detention centres across Sudan due to COVID-19

KHARTOUM, 17 June 2020 – 883 children, between the ages of 13 to 17 years old, were released from detention centres and reunited with their families or placed in alternative family care. The move was part of an effort by the Sudanese authorities, who have been working with UNICEF and partners, to decongest detention centres as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Over 160 children remain in detention due to the severity of the offences they are accused of, and fear of retaliation towards them if they return to their communities.

Most of the children’s families were able to come to the detention centres to take their children home, those who live far were provided with transportation arrangements so they can safely be home with their families or within their communities.

UNICEF worked with the National Council for Child Welfare, State Councils for Child Welfare (SCCWs) and detention centres, specifically Family and Child Protection Units (FCPUs) to reunite the released children with their families.

UNICEF provided hygiene and sanitation supplies including soap, hygiene kits and some Personal Protective Equipment to the children remaining in the detention centres.

UNICEF continues to advocate for the implementation of the Child Act 2010. Children have the right to be protected and be with their families.

In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we must look ahead to what we must do to continue translating rights into results. As the Transitional Government seeks ways to live up to commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, we urge them to put children first. We cannot build a more sustainable future without investing in those who will carry that future forward.

Notes to editors:

• Throughout Sudan to date, 949 children have been in detention at the pre-trial stages in the 18 states of Sudan for coming in conflict with the law.
• UNICEF works with different partners to release children from detention. COVID-19 and directives issued by police authorities and the Prosecutor General in that regard were used as tools to further advocate to release these children and helped speed up the ability to negotiate because of the difficulty of physical distance they will face inside.
• These children were released from pre-trial stage from FCPUs. The detention of children at pre-trial should be used as a last resort; detention of children should be for the shortest period of time; and, that diversion outside the judicial system and alternative measures to detention should be applied for child cases throughout the justice process.
• The Family Child Protection Units (FCPUs) were established in 2007 as specialized police units to provide legal, social, Psycho-Social Support and medical child-friendly services for children in contact with the law.
• The Child Act 2010 is a legal document binding all actors, including law enforcement officials, in provision of child-friendly procedures and services.
• The recent changes to legal framework adopted in Sudan is the amendment to the Criminal Law 1991 adopted by the Council of Ministers which provide more protective environment for children and women in Sudan and in well harmonized with the Child Act 2010.