PRESS BRIEFING
26 OCTOBER 2001
(Near Verbatim)
MS. MARGARET NOVICKI - UNAMSIL SPOKESMAN AND
MAJ. MOHAMMED YERIMA- UNAMSIL MILITARY SPOKESMAN

WITH UN'S HELP, WEST AFRICAN NATIONS AGREE ON STEPS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

West African experts at a United Nations-sponsored conference have agreed to an action plan committing their countries to take steps in the next two years towards eliminating human trafficking.

The plan adopted at the just-concluded Meeting on Trafficking in Human Beings in Accra, Ghana, calls for the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ratify and fully implement international instruments of ECOWAS and the UN that strengthen laws against human trafficking and protect victims of trafficking, especially women and children.

The two-day meeting, which ended on Wednesday, 24 October, was held in cooperation with the Vienna-based UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP). According to ODCCP, trafficking in human beings is pervasive and growing in West Africa today, with the involvement of organized crime driving this growth and increasing the number of the sub-region's citizens who suffer its depredations.

Two main types of trafficking exist in the sub-region: trafficking in children mainly for domestic work and for farm labour across and within national borders; and trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation mainly outside of the sub-region. Poverty is a major driving force in the rise of trafficking in human beings, and women and children are easily lured into trafficking networks by recruiters who promise lucrative jobs abroad.

The action plan will be submitted for adoption by the annual Summit of ECOWAS Heads of States in December. It will commit countries to adopt laws criminalizing trafficking in human beings and to build the necessary administrative structures. Working in co-operation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other representatives of civil society, ECOWAS countries will take responsibility for protecting trafficking victims. They will also develop public awareness campaigns aimed at potential victims of trafficking, using both traditional channels of information as well as the mass media.

CHILD EX-COMBATANTS REUNIFIED WITH FAMILIES IN MAKENI

Ninety-five children formerly associated with the fighting forces were reunified with their families at a ceremony yesterday at Wusum Stadium in the northern town of Makeni. The children, three of whom were girls, were brought to Makeni from Caritas-Makeni's interim care center in Lungi. Many of the children had not seen their families in over three years. An additional 130 children are expected to be reunified next week.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, gave the keynote address, calling on families to welcome their children back "with open arms" and to give them "all the support they need to grown into normal children." He said that the children did not join the fighting forces on their own, but under duress. "We have to make sure we give them all opportunities in life."

The UNICEF representative, Ms. Joanna Van Gerpen, also addressed the gathering, noting how the child protection agencies have worked to keep the children safe until they were able to reunite them with their families. "All of us want the best possible future for these children," she said. "We want them to be safe and free from the dangers of war. We want them to be healthy. We want them to be educated and to grow up to be good citizens." Ms. Van Gerpen emphasized that the entire community, both national and international, was working together to assure "a better future for the children of Sierra Leone."

During the ceremony, four children were symbolically handed over to the representative of the Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kasangha II. The entire group of children was then transported to the offices of Caritas-Makeni, where anxious parents waited to complete formalities and take their children home.

SIERRA LEONE RATIFIES PROTOCOLS TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHT OF THE CHILD

The chief of the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Mr. Rodolfo Mattarollo, yesterday welcomed the part Sierra Leone has played in the bringing into force of the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

Sierra Leone is one of 10 countries (the others are Andorra, Bangladesh, Cuba, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Norway, Panama, and Romania) that have ratified the Optional Protocol, which will now enter into force on 18 January 2002, in accordance with its article 14.1.

Mr. Mattarollo commended the Government of Sierra Leone for taking a lead by ratifying both this and the other Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. He underscored the importance of implementing the protocols so as to provide better legal and practical protection for children and expressed the hope that the national legislature would move quickly to pass the two protocols into national law.

Under the protocol, States parties shall submit within two years an initial report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the actions they have taken to implement the protocol.

The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict also needs 10 ratifications to enter into force. Currently, this Optional Protocol has six States parties and 85 signatories.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP HELD IN KOINADUGU

Over 100 participants from 11 chiefdoms in the northern Koinadugu District yesterday met in Kabala for a day-long sensitization workshop on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), facilitated by the Human Rights Section of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

The workshop was opened by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, who emphasized that the TRC is for Sierra Leoneans. He noted that the TRC had been decided upon by Sierra Leoneans in the Lomé Peace Agreement, and that "it has to be Sierra Leoneans who can make it work." The UN can only assist in a facilitating role, he stressed.

The Special Representatives praised the efforts of some of the workshop participants who put together a simple skit to explain the role of the TRC. The initiative, he said, showed they understood the purpose of the TRC and were able to communicate it effectively to the group.

Bishop George Biguzzi, representing the Inter-Religious Council, also addressed participants, likening the TRC to a doctor who would treat Sierra Leoneans for the "bad sickness" of war that had afflicted them. He, however, stressed that in order for the doctor to prescribe the correct treatment, the patients must be truthful in reporting what had happened. "Truth will make you free," he said, noting that it would help the population to understand what to do in the future and how to reconcile and forgive.

The workshop was attended by representatives of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Civil Defence Force (CDF), as well as civil society representatives, including students. Presentations were also made by Mr. Rodolfo Mattarollo, Chief of UNAMSIL's Human Rights Section, Mr. John Caulker of the National Forum for Human Rights, and Mr. A.B.M. Gbanie of the TRC Working Group (North). Mrs. Shellak Sonny-Davies was facilitator.

The workshop examined the broad objectives and purpose of the TRC, the basic points of the TRC Act, the differences between the TRC and the Special Court, and the benefits, both personal and social, of TRC participation. It was one of a series of such meetings being held in different districts around the country.

UNAMSIL DEPLOYS PEACEKEEPERS IN KAILAHUN DISTRICT

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) yesterday deployed an advance party of 170 peacekeepers from Pakistani Battalion (PAKBATT) 2 in the eastern district of Kailahun, which borders Liberia and Guinea.

The main body of more than 800 men is expected to be airlifted from 28-31 October to complete deployment in the district. The new deployment will mean that UNAMSIL's Sector 5, which comprises Kono and Kailahun districts, will be under the control of PAKBATT 2.

UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM IN SIERRA LEONE CELEBRATES UN DAY

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, on Wednesday, 24 October, said the Sierra Leone peace process has "turned a major bend" compared to a year ago.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Freetown headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to mark United Nations Day, 24 October, Ambassador Adeniji noted with satisfaction the progress achieved over the past year, particularly in disarming combatants of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Civil Defence Force (CDF). He expressed the hope that the disarmament process will be completed soon.

This year's celebrations were remarkable following the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the UN and to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for promoting peace, defending human rights and fighting poverty. The Special Representative noted that the progress achieved in the peace process in Sierra Leone may have contributed in small measure to the Nobel Committee's decision.

Highlights of the UN Day celebration in Sierra Leone included a march past in central Freetown by staff of UNAMSIL and UN agencies based in Sierra Leone. The march was led by the SRSG and Chief Military Observer Maj. Gen. Syed Athar Ali, along with peacekeepers from Nigerian Battalions 9 and 10 and the Sierra Leone Army Band. Later, Ambassador Adeniji inspected a guard of honour mounted by NIBATT peacekeepers at UNAMSIL Headquarters, which was followed by a raising of the UN and the Sierra Leonean flags.

Ambassador Adeniji then read Secretary-General Annan's message for the occasion, in which he urged the entire UN family to stay true to its mission and to work harder than ever to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

In his remarks at the occasion, Sierra Leone's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Alpha Timbo, speaking on behalf of the Government, commended the UN system in Sierra Leone for its efforts in helping bring peace to the country. He, however, observed that more work needed to be done, particularly to curb the flow of small arms in the subregion. The minister also assured the gathering that Sierra Leone would ratify all UN conventions on terrorism.

As part of the week-long celebrations, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General opened a photo exhibition on Tuesday, 23 October, entitled, "The UN and its Agencies: Working for Sierra Leone," which depicts the varied nature of the UN's family work to support peace and development in Sierra Leone.

Tomorrow, Saturday, a free UN Day concert will be held for the community at Atouga Stadium in the east end of Freetown. The concert, which will run from 2 pm to 6:30pm, will feature music, dance and performances by comedians, actors and cultural groups. All are invited to attend.

ZAMBIAN PEACEKEEPERS CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAY

Peacekeepers from Zambian Battalion (ZAMBATT) 2 marked their country's 27th year of independence on 24 October in the eastern town of Tongo in Kenema District at a colourful ceremony attended by the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Lt. Gen. Daniel Opande, and other dignitaries.

The Force Commander commended the Zambian peacekeepers for their professional conduct in carrying out their duties. He also congratulated them for the double celebration which coincided with the UN Day. ZAMBATT 2 is the first battalion to deploy in Tongo.

Later in the day the Force Commander visited the reception center and the demobilization camp at Makeni, where he expressed his satisfaction with the security situation in the area and the management of the camp. Lt. Gen. Opande also met with senior officials of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) who included Omrie Golley, the chairman of the RUF Political and Peace Council, Mike Lamin, and Pallo Bangura.

NATIONAL RECOVERY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES DONOR MEETING ON KONO

The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Governance and Stabilization, Mr. Alan Doss, accompanied by senior officials from the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and UN agencies, on 22 October met with the National Recovery Committee to discuss the rehabilitation of Kono District, where disarmament has recently been completed.

Established to lead the post-conflict recovery effort and guide the restoration of Government authority throughout Sierra Leone, the National Recovery Committee yesterday set 2 November 2001 as the date for a donors meeting to be held in Freetown.

At the meeting chaired by Vice President Albert Joe Demby, the Committee agreed to a round-table meeting with donors and other partners to assess progress and mobilize funds for the recovery of the diamond-producing Kono District, which has been devastated by many years of civil war.

Delegates at next week's donor meeting are expected to discuss the report commissioned by the Committee to assess the immediate recovery needs of the district. The report was prepared following a needs assessment mission by the Government of Sierra Leone, NGOs and UN agencies, as well as UNAMSIL, to Kono from 25-27 September. The Committee plans to send similar assessments missions to all the districts in the country.

As part of its efforts to extend its authority in areas previously held by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Sierra Leone Police moved into the strategic Kono District for the first time in many years, barely three weeks after the assessment mission's visit to Kono.

Also to be discussed at the round-table is a progress report on the Kambia District, which was disarmed earlier this year. An assessment team visited the district from 14-15 June, and a round-table was held on 31 July to set priorities and raise resources.

The National Recovery Committee is leading the national effort to restore Government authority throughout the country by rehabilitating structures such as local administrative centres, schools, hospitals, courts and police stations.

It provides a forum for discussion among its members, who include all key Government ministries, UN agencies, multilateral development institutions such as the World Bank and the European Union, and various international non-governmental agencies.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: What is the status of the children abducted by the RUF during the January 6 invasion of Freetown? Are they released to child protection agencies or brought forward as ex-combatants?

Margaret Novicki: We have so far gained the release of over 3,000 child ex-combatants and the process is ongoing to try to get all abducted children released. Again, children do not come under the formal disarmament process. They are treated in a separate category and UNAMSIL along with other child protection agencies in this country have been working very hard with the RUF and the CDF to get all children released. With the women, it is a very difficult question. Because in many cases women or young girls who are abducted became 'bush wives' as they're known. In some cases some of the women were combatants and these women are expected to go through the normal disarmament process. We are therefore working hard to make sure that those women who served as wives and provided other support services to the fighting forces are released as soon as possible.

Q: What is the latest on the US-trained Nigerian soldiers for peacekeeping in Sierra Leone?

Maj. Mohammed Yerima: The American government is committed to the training of Nigerian, Senegalese and Ghanian soldiers for peacekeeping in Sierra Leone. They have already trained Nigerian Battalion 7 which is now deployed in Makeni and they have also indicated their commitment to train two more battalions of Nigerian soldiers for Sierra Leone. We will give details when further training commences.

Q: Can you confirm reports alleging that RUF top commanders are refusing to surrender high calibre weapons to UNAMSIL and are hiding these weapons in the Tonkolili and Kailahun districts?

Maj. Yerima: We have not received any such reports. Don't forget that Tonkolili and Kailahun districts are yet to disarm. So let's wait and see.

Q: Currently, there is an upsurge in rape and sexual abuses. What is UNAMSIL doing to assist the Sierra Leone Government to stem these problems?

Ms. Novicki: UNAMSIL Human Rights Section investigates these human rights abuses and what we try to do is to raise awareness among members of the various communities. The Human Rights and Civil Affairs Sections of UNAMSIL are working with various communities, educating them on these issues and trying to get a national dialogue to discuss them. But then it's left with the government law enforcement agencies to deal with specific cases of abuse.

Q: Can you please give us the DDR update in the Bombali District?

Ms. Novicki: In the Bombali district, we have a total of 2,396 disarmed, that is from September 24 through October 25. Of this total, 1, 951 are RUF and 445 are CDF.

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For additional information, contact UNAMSIL Public Information Office: UNAMSIL Headquarters, Mammy Yoko, P. O. Box 5, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Tel: 232-22-273-183/4/5 Fax: 232-22-273-189