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Grave Violations Against Children in Northeastern Nigeria

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Grave Violations Against Children in Northeastern Nigeria “WHO WILL CARE FOR US?” Grave Violations against Children in Northeastern Nigeria September 2014 About Watchlist Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (“Watchlist”) strives to end violations against children in armed conflicts and to guarantee their rights. As a global network, Watchlist builds partnerships among local, national, and international non-governmental organiza- tions, enhancing mutual capacities and strengths. Working together, we strategically collect and disseminate information on violations against children in conflicts in order to influence key decision-makers to create and implement programs and policies that effectively protect children. For further information about Watchlist or specific reports, please contact: [email protected] / www.watchlist.org This report was researched and written by Janine Morna, with substantial desk research and written contributions from Marina Gabriel and Bonnie Berry. Watchlist is grateful to numerous domestic and international non-governmental organizations which made this study possible. In particular, Watchlist would like to thank the individuals and groups that supported the research in Nigeria, such as the Centre for Community Health and Development International and the Gombe Child Protection Network, as well as those who provided invaluable guidance and feedback on the report. Watchlist would also like to thank everyone in Nigeria, especially the children, who participated in the research and generously shared their stories and experiences. Photo Credits Please Note: The people represented in the photos in this report are not necessarily themselves victims or survivors of human rights violations or other abuses. Cover Photo: Image of a girl, the daughter of a pastor, who was abducted by suspected members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram, at age 15. She was forced to convert to Islam and was raped during her 3 weeks in captivity in 2013. © 2014 Watchlist/Ruth McDowall. Map of Nigeria, page 2: ©United Nations Cartographic Section. Design Credits Concept and Production: Green Communication Design inc www.greencom.ca “WHO WILL CARE FOR US?” Grave Violations against Children in Northeastern Nigeria September 2014 Table of Contents Map of Nigeria ...................................................................................................................................2 List of Acronyms ...............................................................................................................................3 Executive Summary and Recommendations ..............................................................................4 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................10 Background .....................................................................................................................................12 PART I: THE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON CHILDREN.................................................. 16 Attacks on Schools .........................................................................................................................18 Targeted Attacks on Schools, Students, and Teachers ...........................................................18 Threats of Attacks against Teachers and Students ..................................................................20 The Impact of Attacks on Schools and Access to Education ................................................20 Abduction ........................................................................................................................................22 A Targeted Policy of Abducting Young Women and Girls .....................................................22 Conversion, Forced Marriage, and Rape and Sexual Violence in JAS Camps .................24 Escape, Reporting, and Rehabilitation .........................................................................................24 Recruitment and Use of Children ................................................................................................26 Recruitment and Use of Children by JAS ....................................................................................26 Recruitment and Use of Children by Self Defense Militias and other Local Defense Initiatives .......................................................................................................27 Detention of Children Suspected or Found to be Members of JAS ..................................30 PART II: PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM GRAVE VIOLATIONS .............................. 34 The Domestic Child Protection Framework ...............................................................................36 Legal Frameworks for the Protection of Children in Conflict in Nigeria ..........................36 The Child Protection System in Nigeria .......................................................................................37 Post-Chibok Initiatives on Child Protection ...............................................................................37 Scaling up the Child Protection Response.................................................................................39 Strengthening Humanitarian and Child Protection Capacity .............................................39 Child Protection in Emergencies Expertise ................................................................................41 Strengthening the Protection Sector Working Group and Reviving the Child Protection Working Group ..........................................................................42 Protecting and Promoting Education in the Northeast ..........................................................44 Response to School Attacks .............................................................................................................44 The Way Forward .................................................................................................................................44 Awareness-Raising and Capacity-Building for the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism ...............................................................................47 Establishing the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism ......................................................47 Challenges for the MRM in Nigeria ...............................................................................................48 A Blueprint for the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism .................................................49 Annex I ..............................................................................................................................................51 Endnotes ..........................................................................................................................................53 “WHO WILL CARE FOR US?” 2 i Nkonni Birn Goure N'Djamena Zinder Bosso C H A D NIGERIA Illela Maradi Wurno N I G E R Diffa Bol Dosso Sokoto Baga Daura Magaria Damasak Lake Chad gu to Nguru Komadu ko SOKOTO Katsina o ana S G Kaura Gumel u Hadejia g Namoda KATSINA a u N eji ad ig Birnin ad Kom e H N'Djamena r Kebbi Zamfa B O R N O ra S Gusau o JIGAWA Y O B E Gummi k Kano ZAMFARA o Dikwa Kamba to Maiduguri Wudil Damaturu m Gaya Gulbin K Dutse a a Azare er ds Funtua KANO Potiskum Ye Bama K E B B I Dan Gulbi Kandi Koko Kari Damboa Mora la Sabon Benin o Zaria g Bajoga Gwari n Mokolo Kainj o KADUNA B A U C H I G Biu Maroua Reservoir Kontagora Kaduna GOMBE B E N I N K Bauchi a d Mubi u Gombe Gombi Guider Wawa N I G E R na Jos Ndali Biliri Kajama ADAMAWA Minna Kanfanchan Léré Parakou Pala Pankshin Numan Garoua Amper Lau é CHAD Ni Bida P L AT E AU Bénou ger Badeggi Abuja Yola Kisi KWARA Kwolla Jalingo ABUJA Baro CAPITAL Q Shaki NASSARAWA Ganye NIGERIA u TERRITORY é m Ilorin Lafia é O Y O Ogbomosho T A R A B A Tungo Benue Ibi Oyo Lokaja Bali Kontcha Iseyin EKITI Wukari Iwo Oshogbo K O G I Makurdi Ibadan Ife Ado-Ekiti Bohicon OSUN Akure B E N U E Ngaoundéré r Ankpa Gboko Owo e Auchi Takum Abong Abeokuta g Oturkpo Ondo ONDO i National capital O G U N N Gembu Banyo State capital Ilaro A E D O ENUGU Nkambe Ore N Ikeja Ogoja Town, village Cotonou L LAGOS A Enugu a Benin City Abakaliki M m Major airport Porto- g ba os Asaba B Awka M International boundary Novo R EBONY Ikom Lake a A Bamenda Bamendjing h State boundary C Bight of Benin Sapele nits CROSS O Foumban . IMO ABIA RIVERS Highway A Warri DELTA Owerri Umuahia Yoko . Bafoussam Main road R C A M E RO O N Secondary road . Aba Nikongsamba a RIVERS Calabar nag Railroad N Uyo Sa Gulf of Guinea i Yenagoa g Port AKWA Kumba 0 50 100 150 200 km e Oron The boundaries and names shown and the designations r BAYELSA Harcourt IBOM D used on this map do not imply official endorsement or e 0 50 100 mi acceptance by the United Nations. l t a Bight of Biafra Buea Douala Map No. 4228 UNITED NATIONS Department of Peacekeeping Operations October 2004 Cartographic Section Grave Violations against Children in Northeastern Nigeria 3 List of Acronyms BOYES Borno Youth Empowerment Scheme Civilian JTF Civilian Joint Task Force CPEWG Child Protection and Education Working Group CPN Child Protection Network CPWG Child Protection Working Group CTFMR Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting DPKO Department of Peacekeeping Operations EiEWG Education in Emergencies Working Group HCT Humanitarian Country Team IA-EPRWG Inter-Agency Emergency Preparedness and Response Working Group ICC International Criminal Court IDMC Internal Displacement Monitoring
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