The United Nations Human Rights Office in South America and UNICEF’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed profound concern for four missing children, ages 11 to 15, believed to be victims of enforced disappearance during a military operation in Guayaquil, Ecuador. They are calling on the Ecuadorian government to undertake a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation into the incident, aiming to locate the children and reunite them with their families promptly.
By ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ecuador is bound to safeguard the rights of all minors. The international community emphasizes that any detention of adolescents must allow access to a specialized juvenile justice system. Enforced disappearances and the unlawful detention of youth are unacceptable under any circumstances and must be addressed immediately.
The UN Human Rights Office and UNICEF are committed to providing essential support to the Ecuadorian government. They aim to combat potential human rights infringements affecting children and adolescents in the region. This collaboration seeks not only to investigate the current situation but also to establish preventive measures for the future, safeguarding children’s rights.
The UN Human Rights Office and UNICEF are expressing concern for four children missing in Ecuador due to enforced disappearance during a military operation. They urge swift and fair investigations, highlighting the obligation of the Ecuadorian government under international law to protect children’s rights. Ongoing technical assistance from UN and UNICEF aims to prevent future human rights violations involving minors.
The urgent appeal from the UN and UNICEF highlights the need for swift action to locate the missing children in Ecuador. It reinforces the obligation of governments to protect children’s rights, particularly under international law. As stakeholders work together, there remains hope that the situation will be resolved with justice, safety, and care for the affected families.
In recent years, enforced disappearances, particularly among children, have emerged as a significant human rights issue in several countries, including Ecuador. The involvement of military operations in civilian areas raises profound concerns about the safety and treatment of vulnerable individuals, especially minors. The demand for accountability and adherence to human rights standards is essential to ensure justice and protect the rights of affected children and their families.
Original Source: www.unicef.org
