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Many of the abuses refugee children in Guinea suffer are typical of abuses faced by refugee children around the world, yet they are committed on an alarming scale. All of these abuses are preventable if appropriate policies are supported and implemented. The Guinean government, UNHCR, and the international community have a responsibility to assist and protect refugee children, yet they have all failed to take basic steps to implement existing law and policies to do so.
In the meantime, the human rights of these children are denied. First, they experienced one of the world's most brutal wars. Now that they have fled to Guinea, they are subjected to a second chapter of hardship including hunger; separation from their parents; the physical dangers of armed attack, recruitment as child soldiers, or sexual abuse; neglect, abuse, and exploitation by their caregivers; or child prostitution. Unless the international community takes action to begin protecting their rights, they will most likely experience greater hardship in the years to come.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report was written by Sara Rakita, New York University Law School fellow with the Children's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. The report is based on research conducted by Sara Rakita and Scott Campbell, consultant to Human Rights Watch, during a mission to Guinea in February and March 1999. The report was edited by Yodon Thonden, counsel to the Children's Rights Division and reviewed by Scott Campbell; Rachael Reilly, refugee policy director; Binaifer Nowrojee, counsel to the Africa Division; Corinne Dufka, Sierra Leone researcher; Widney Brown, advocacy director for the Women's Rights Division; and Wilder Tayler, general counsel. Production assistance was provided by Shalu Rozario, associate for the Children's Rights Division; Patrick Minges, publications director; and Fitzroy Hepkins, mail manager.
Human Rights Watch
Children's Rights Division
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
We stand with victims and activists to bring offenders to justice, to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom and to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime.
We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.
We challenge governments and those holding power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.
The staff includes Kenneth Roth, executive director; Michele Alexander, development director; Reed Brody, advocacy director; Carroll Bogert, communications director; Cynthia Brown, program director; Barbara Guglielmo, finance director; Jeri Laber, special advisor; Lotte Leicht, Brussels office director; Patrick Minges, publications director; Susan Osnos, associate director; Maria Pignataro Nielsen, human resources director; Jemera Rone, counsel; Wilder Tayler, general counsel; and Joanna Weschler, United Nations representative. Jonathan Fanton is the chair of the board. Robert L. Bernstein is the founding chair.
Its Children's Rights Division was established in 1994 to monitor and promote the human rights of children around the world. Lois Whitman is the director; Yodon Thonden and Mike Bochenek are counsel; Jo Becker is advocacy director. Vikram Parekh is research associate; Sara Rakita is the New York University Law School Fellow; and Shalu Rozario is associate. Jane Green Schaller is chair of the advisory committee.
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