Sudan Urged Not to Prosecute “Child Rebels”

The United Nations has urged the Sudanese government not to prosecute 89 child rebel fighters arrested after an attack by Darfur rebels on the country’s capital last May. Addressing a news conference in Khartoum, UN Human rights official Sima Samar said the UN’s recommendation was for the child soldiers to be treated as victims of war, rather than as combatants. The Sudanese government says it will establish special courts to try the child fighters while ensuring “all their rights”. [P.E]