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The UN mission listed 12 such cases in a statement issued on Friday, involving 134 people, including six children.
The statement noted that the abduction of children exposes them to a variety of risks, including possible recruitment and use in armed conflict; sexual and gender-based violence; trafficking; and other forms of exploitation.
“Children and adults held in detention must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS. “Such incidents not only violate international human rights and humanitarian law, they also devastate communities and create fear and uncertainty.”
He added: “We urge the South Sudanese government to immediately investigate and remind all parties concerned of their human rights obligations.”
Haysom, who is also the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, called on all stakeholders, including the Government, to take collective action to strengthen measures to prevent the recurrence of kidnappings and to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.
Kidnapping remains a persistent threat to security and peacebuilding efforts.
The United Nations said it was actively working with relevant national, state and local authorities to address the issue.
(English stone)
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