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Sudan - Periodic reports of States parties due in 1997: Addendum [2001] UNCRCSPR 27; CRC/C/65/Add.17 (6 December 2001)

UNITED NATIONS		CRC
	Convention on the Rights of the Child	Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/65/Add.17 6 December 2001 ENGLISH Original : ARABIC

COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD






CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION




Periodic reports of States parties due in 1997



SUDAN *

[7 July 1999]

________________________________

* For the initial report submitted by the Government of Sudan, see CRC/C/3/Add.3, CRC/C/3/Add.20; for its consideration by the Committee, see documents CRC/C/SR.69-72 and 89&90 and for the Concluding Observation’s see CRC/C/15/Add.6 & CRC/C/15/Add.10.


GE.01-45071 (EXT)

INTRODUCTION

1. This report has been made under article 44, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with the aim of affirming a number of facts, inter alia:

(a) The question of the family and child is a critical area of concern and a strategic objective that forms part of all development plans and programmes;

(b) The importance which the State attaches to children stems from its concern for the future of its children and its efforts to secure that future. The Sudan has recently undergone progress in the fields of government, administration, politics and peace, thus widening the scope for national unity, political participation, public freedoms and the move towards rural development, which has had a positive impact on children’s affairs.

2. The Sudan welcomed the observations and recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and has endeavoured to respond by means of this report, which covers the themes contained in the general guidelines regarding the form and contents of periodic reports, adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child at its thirteenth session in October 1996. The report was prepared in the following manner:

(a) By a decision of the Minister of Social Planning made on a recommendation of the Secretary-General of the National Council for Child Welfare dated 26 February 1996, a national committee, chaired by the Secretary-General, was formed to prepare the report. The membership of the committee included representatives of the competent ministries, such as the Ministries of Health, Education, Interior, Labour, Finance, Social Planning, Foreign Affairs and Culture and Information. It also included representatives of competent bodies, such as the judiciary, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Advisory Council for Human Rights, the National Council for Peace, the Population Council, the Zakat Office, the Office of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, the Central Office of Statistics, the National Water Authority, the Federation of Sudanese Voluntary Organizations and the Sudanese Human Rights Organization, as well as national and international organizations and associations, organizations of the United Nations and prominent national figures concerned with children’s affairs;

(b) The national committee then formed a number of working groups to deal with eight main themes, as follows:

(i) General measures of implementation;
(ii) Definition of the child;
(iii) General principles;
(iv) Civil rights and freedoms;
(v) Family environment and alternative care;
(vi) Basic health and welfare;
(vii) Education, leisure and cultural activities;
(viii) Special protection measures;

(c) Questionnaires were drawn up and circulated to all states, ministries and organizations for the purpose of gathering information;

(d) The eight working groups received intensive training in the processes of gathering information and preparing reports. Each working group then used a standardized method for gathering the information and material relating to its work;

(e) For their sources of information, the working groups relied on the competent ministries, the Central Office of Statistics, the Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Sudan and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as on the results of field surveys and the replies to the questionnaires collected from the different states;

(f) A number of workshops were held on various topics, including the role of the judiciary in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the effect of the Peace Agreement on children. Other workshops were also held in several states with a view to promoting the concept of the rights of the child;

(g) After the working groups had submitted their reports, a drafting group consisting of specialists in their respective fields was selected to prepare the initial draft of the report;

(h) The draft report was discussed in a national workshop involving politicians, executive officers and child experts, as well as representatives of international organizations, local and foreign voluntary organizations and the media. The workshop produced observations and amendments which were incorporated into the report at the second drafting stage;

(i) The report was submitted to the coordinating committee for child action, the membership of which includes under-secretaries of the competent ministries, whose observations were also incorporated at the third drafting stage, following which the report was approved by the committee.

3. Details of the themes addressed are as follows:

(a) General measures of implementation

The section on this theme deals with the legislative, administrative and information measures adopted by the Government with a view to implementation of the Convention, with reference to constitutional decrees and amendments made to domestic legislation in that context. This theme covers the status of the Convention in the forthcoming constitution and the mechanisms established to ensure implementation of the Convention. It also covers the activities undertaken to raise awareness of the Convention and disseminate its principles and its provisions, including training for the groups concerned.

(b) Definition of the child

The section on this theme provides information on the concept of the child in Sudanese law, the civil rights of the child, medical counselling and the end of compulsory education. It also provides information on the child labour laws and the age of marriage in the context of the discussion concerning the marriage of Muslims and non-Muslims, in addition to information on voluntary enlistment in the armed forces, conscription into the armed forces, participation in hostilities, criminal responsibility, capital punishment, life imprisonment, the testimony of the child in court and the right of the child to lodge complaints, seek redress and participate in administrative and judicial procedures affecting him or her.

(c) General principles

The section on this theme deals with the principle of non-discrimination and the steps taken in that connection, as well as the steps taken to reduce disparities and combat discrimination against different groups. It also provides information on the consideration given to the principle of the best interests of the

child in administrative, legislative and social terms, including measures of a legislative and administrative measure taken to ensure the protection of the child.

(d) Rights of the child and civil freedoms

The section on this theme comprises information in regard to the consistency between the articles of the Convention and the rights stipulated in Sudanese law.

(e) Family environment and alternative care

The section on this theme contains information on the family structures in Sudanese society and the measures adopted to ensure respect for the rights of the child, with reference to the laws and procedures which safeguard those rights. It also contains information on the available family counselling services, awareness campaigns for parents and children and the support programmes which the Government provides for poor families. It further discusses the measures adopted to ensure that the child is not separated from his or her parents and to guarantee family reunification. In addition, it contains information on the concept of adoption and kafalah of Islamic law and concludes with a discussion of the administrative measures adopted by the Government in connection with the family environment.

(f) Basic health and welfare

The section on this theme covers the policies, laws and statutes relating to health in general and to maternal and child health in particular, with reference to the obstacles impeding achievement of the desired objectives. It also refers to the measures adopted in regard to general facilities in the field of preventive health and treatment, with emphasis on maternal and child health facilities in rural and urban areas. Moreover, it covers the role of international organizations and local and foreign voluntary organizations, as well as the situation of disabled children, health and social insurance and standard of living.

(g) Education, leisure and cultural activities

The section on this theme deals with the policies and objectives aimed at recognizing the right of the child to the various forms of education and discusses the measures adopted to ensure that right. It also provides information on innovative projects supported by international cooperation, together with information on the development of public education and the measures taken to ensure respect for the liberty of individuals and organizations to establish educational institutions. It additionally refers to the difficulties encountered in connection with the educational process in the Sudan.

(h) Special protection measures

The section on this theme covers the definition of the word “refugee” under international instruments, the distinct and firmly established policies of the Sudan towards refugees and the services provided by the Government of the Sudan for refugee children, as well as the efforts of the State to find permanent solutions to the problem of refugee children. It also covers international conventions and the measures adopted by the State to ensure the rights of the child in the armed conflict zones, including recovery and social reintegration. In addition, it discusses legislative measures and laws relating to the administration of juvenile justice, together with the Sudanese child labour legislation and the measures adopted by the Government to protect children against the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Also discussed are the Sudanese legislative enactments dealing with the sexual abuse, exploitation and forced labour of the child and the situation of children belonging to minorities.

I. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION
(arts. 4, 42 and 44, paragraph 6)

4. The steps and measures adopted by the Government of the Sudan with a view to implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child stem from its faith in the human values and inherited traits which God bestowed as an honour on the human race. They are also linked with the Sudan’s commitment to all international human rights instruments and treaties; it has already signed and ratified several of these and arrangements to complete signature and ratification of the remainder are under way. Given the obstacle to the safeguarding and protection of human rights posed by the situation of armed conflict in some areas of the country, the Government of the Sudan took on board the task of preparing an appropriate climate for a final end to that conflict with a view to enabling individuals to enjoy the full rights guaranteed to them under the national laws, the provisions of which are consistent with those of the various international treaties and instruments to which the Sudan has acceded. The end of the conflict and fighting in the country signals a true beginning for the protection of human rights and for guaranteed security, stability and socio-economic growth, bearing in mind that the population of the Sudan numbers 27.4 million inhabitants, approximately 14 million of whom are children under the age of 18.

5. Forty-two years of civil war in the Sudan have destroyed the basic infrastructures of health, education, social services and agriculture in the rebel areas. The peace efforts in the Sudan are therefore accorded utmost priority in the policies of the State.

6. The national conference for dialogue on peace issues, followed by rounds of peace talks with rebel factions, led to signature of the Peace Charter, which formed the core of the Khartoum Peace Agreement between the Government and a number of the factions engaged in the fighting in southern Sudan. The subjects covered by the Peace Agreement include fundamental freedoms and guarantee of the human rights stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Agreement also adopts the principle of citizenship as the basis of rights and duties, without distinction on grounds of religion, race or culture, together with the principle of the fair distribution of wealth and power among the states of the Sudan. With the entry into force of this Agreement, the country began to witness positive changes which are still taking place and which will have far-reaching effects. These changes include the following:

(a) De facto implementation of the Peace Agreement with the promulgation of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree;

(b) The formation of a committee to draft a permanent constitution for the Sudan, which was put to a referendum of the people and is now at the approval stage;

(c) The creation of an open political climate that will effectively promote and establish human rights with the promulgation of numerous legislative enactments relevant to implementation of the Peace Agreement;

(d) Improvement of the country’s economic performance, the growth rate having reached an average of 5 per cent as a result of the measures taken to reduce the rate of inflation. Trade in imports also fell by 64 per cent, while trade in exports rose. The inadequacy of international aid to the Sudan, however, has been highly detrimental in terms of the essential services available to Sudanese citizens and children, despite the endeavours of the Government to provide the funds needed for that purpose and despite the valuable efforts made at the grass-roots level to complete economic and social projects.

7. The President of the Republic promulgated Constitutional Decree No. 97 of 1994 establishing an advisory council to monitor human rights questions in the Sudan under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Justice and with the membership of the National Council for Child Welfare and a number of relevant bodies, namely:

(a) The judiciary;
(b) The Ministry of Justice;
(c) The National Assembly;
(d) The security apparatus;
(e) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
(f) The Ministry of Interior;
(g) The Ministry of Labour;
(h) The Ministry of Culture and Information;
(i) The National Council for Child Welfare;
(j) The Office of the Commissioner for Relief Operations;
(k) University faculties of law;
(l) The Lawyers’ Union;
(m) The Office of the Commissioner for Refugees;
(n) National human rights organizations.

8. The Council is competent to:

(a) Counsel and advise the Government in the field of human rights;

(b) Conduct the necessary research and studies in the field of human rights and step up the efforts made to secure those rights;

(c) Collate the necessary information and data furnished by the organs of State;

(d) Participate in relevant local and regional scientific conferences and committees;

(e) Organize and arrange visits to the Sudan by relevant delegations, individuals and organizations.

9. It is worth noting that that the Sudan has signed and ratified 12 international human rights instruments, of which there are 24 in all, and that the State legislature has promulgated numerous laws to ensure their application.

10. National laws were therefore instituted on the basis of the provisions and articles of those instruments, which are as follows:

(a) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
(b) The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
(c) The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
(d) The International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid;
(e) The International Convention against Apartheid in Sports;
(f) The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment;
(g) The Convention on the Rights of the Child;
(h) The Slavery Convention;
(i) The Protocol amending the Slavery Convention;

(j) The Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery;
(k) The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees;
(l) The Forced Labour Convention, the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention and the Employment Policy Convention of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

11. In addition to the above are the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

12. The Advisory Council for Human Rights has formulated a plan aimed at raising citizens’ awareness of their rights as provided for in various instruments. Human rights education committees were also formed in the 26 states of the Sudan.

13. On 24 July 1990, the Sudan signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which it then ratified on 3 August 1990 by a law promulgated pursuant to the Third Constitutional Decree of 1989 by the Revolution Command Council.

14. By means of the above legislative procedure and in accordance with the Sudanese legal system, the Convention became part of national legislation and consequently entered into force as a binding law on all parties, including the bodies and institutions of the State. As a result, the Sudanese judiciary is aware that the provisions of the Convention must be applied and may be invoked in court. Proceedings may also be instituted in connection with its provisions and compensation may be claimed in the event of their violation. In that regard and pursuant to the Constitution, the Constitutional Court plays an essential role in protecting the fundamental rights under the Convention and may examine all appeals in their connection in accordance with the Administrative and Constitutional Courts Act of 1997.

15. As for the legislature or National Assembly, in accordance with article 53 of the regulations governing its activities, its specialist committees are entrusted with the task of examining the effects resulting from application of the laws and policies adopted and of ensuring compliance by the executive body with those policies and legislative enactments. As a matter of course, the Convention is incorporated into the high-ranking framework represented by the National Assembly. On 25 June 1996, moreover, the National Assembly issued its resolution No. 29 in which it called for the adoption of further constitutional measures, thus affirming its commitment to the protection of the child and its efforts to create conditions conducive to his or her enjoyment of the rights set forth in the Convention.

A. Measures adopted for incorporation of the Convention into the Constitution

16. Following the Revolution of National Salvation, the Sudan entered a transitional stage which will continue until the permanent constitution is further developed and approved. During this period, the affairs of government are regulated by constitutional decrees initiated by the President of the Republic and approved by the National Assembly (Parliament). Pursuant to these decrees, all fundamental rights, freedoms and guarantees are assured, as follows:

(a) The State is responsible for the welfare of children (article 7 of the Seventh Constitutional Decree of 1993);

(b) Freedom of belief and worship is guaranteed (article 1 of the Seventh Constitutional Decree of 1993);

(c) Discrimination on grounds of religion, race, wealth or social status is prohibited (article 9 of the Seventh Constitutional Decree of 1993);

(d) Freedom of expression is guaranteed (article 9 of the Seventh Constitutional Decree of 1993);

(e) Citizens have the right of political participation and are guaranteed equal opportunities (article 3 of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree concerning the Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997);

(f) The enactment of legislation prejudicial to the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens is prohibited (article 3 of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997);

(g) The sovereignty of the rule of law is guaranteed, as is the independence of the judiciary (article 61 of the Thirteenth Constitutional Decree of 1995);

(h) Respect for different cultures and religions is guaranteed (article 3 of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997);

(i) The right of appeal to the Supreme Court is guaranteed in cases where fundamental freedoms are violated (articles 9 and 25 of the Thirteenth Constitutional Decree of 1995).

Article 69 of the Thirteenth Constitutional Decree of 1995 also provides that the President of the Republic must draft the constitution on the basis of the articles of the constitutional decrees in force and include additional provisions which remain consistent with the spirit of those decrees and the constitutional experience. In other words, the next constitution will not emerge from a vacuum but will be based on established principles and guidelines contained in the constitutional decrees in force, including the above-mentioned provisions.

17. An analysis of the Convention reveals that its provisions are divided into two sections. The first of these relates to fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, such as equality, non-discrimination, freedom of thought, expression and religion and freedom of organization. As already stated, these rights are generally covered by the constitutional decrees in force and will be shifted into the permanent constitution. The second section relates to rights under ordinary law, which are covered by a wide number of Sudanese legislative enactments, as mentioned elsewhere in this report.

18. It should be stated that the Government of the Sudan has adopted an approach to rule in which every effort is made to lower the administrative profile, achieve a fair distribution of wealth and power and broaden the base of participation. The former Transitional National Assembly – now the Sudanese Parliament – promulgated the Twelfth Constitutional Decree, which is regarded as the core legal document and constitutional term of reference for the federal system pursuant to which the Sudan is divided into 26 states, each with its own executive and legislative authority. The Decree provides for the distribution of power and authority into three separate lists:

(a) A special federal list pertaining to matters within the mandate of the central authorities;
(b) A state list pertaining to the state authorities;
(c) A joint list pertaining to both federal and state authorities; as well as
(d) A list pertaining to the remaining authorities.

19. Financial resources are also divided among the three federal, state and local levels. A federal government office under the supervision of the President of the Republic was also established and charged

with the task of coordinating among the different states and authorities and ensuring the exchange of experiences.

B. Indicators contained in laws and legislative enactments for the development
of policies guaranteeing children’s enjoyment of their full rights

20. With the aim of implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Minister of Justice formed a high-level committee to review the Sudanese child-related laws in order to ensure their conformity with the provisions of the Convention. The committee then produced a report on the subject, which made it clear that the State had long ago put in place the guarantees needed to ensure child rights, as demonstrated by the Labour Act of 1997, the Public Health Act of 1975 and the Juvenile Welfare Act of 1973. Each of these laws contains provisions on child rights, all of which relate to the basic principles found in the Constitution. Article 7 of the Seventh Constitutional Decree concerning constitutional principles, systems and developments stipulates that society is built on the spirit of piety, public education, guidance and free progress and grows with the spread of culture, science and sports. It also stipulates that children, young people, women, men and families have a part to play in society and in ensuring that decent morals and customs prevail. With a view to illustrating the conformity of Sudanese laws with the Convention, the following table shows the laws relating to child rights and the articles of the Convention to which they correspond. Some of these laws were promulgated long before the Convention came into being but are consistent with its provisions nonetheless.

No. Law Article Corresponding articles
number of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child

1. Public Health Act of 1975 44, 45, 57, 58, 68, 24
69, 71 and 72

2. School Health Act of 1974 4, 8 and 12 24

3. Registration of Births and
Deaths Act of 1972 5 7 and 8

4. Juvenile Welfare Act of 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13 24
1983 14, 17, 18 (excluding

paragraph (f)), 19
and 20

5. Sudanese Nationality Act 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 8
of 1993 11, 12, 13 and 14

6. Asylum Act of 1974 2 20

7. National Council for Child 5 20
Welfare Act of 1991

8. Personal Status of Muslims 81 (1), 82, 84 27
Act of 1991 and 109

9. Penal Code of 1991 9 40, paragraph 3 (a)

No. Law Article Corresponding articles
number of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child

10. Criminal Procedures Act 47 37
of 1991

11. Child Welfare Act of 1971 4 34 and 35
6 3
7 3
10 40, paragraph 4
11 40, paragraph 4
13 40, paragraph 3

17 40, paragraph 1

12. Civil Transactions Act of 54, 55 and 62 4
1984

13. Civil Procedures Act of 10 (b), (g) and (h) 27
1983

14. Public Education Act of 4 29, although the Act seeks to
1992 a greater degree to realize the rights of the Sudanese child

15. Welfare of Disabled
Persons Act of 1984

16. Copyright Act of 1993

17. Press and Publications Act
of 1996

18. Labour Act of 1997

C. Mechanisms for follow-up and monitoring of the implementation
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

21. In September 1991, the President of the Republic issued a decree forming the National Council for Child Welfare, on the strength of the National Council for Child Welfare Act, as a high-level national institution with independent prerogatives which enable it to remain untrammelled by bureaucracy. In accordance with the decree, the chairmanship of the Council is vested in the President of the Republic and its membership consists of state governors and federal ministers concerned with children’s affairs, their positions as such forming the basis of their appointment to the Council. The Council is competent to:

(a) Fulfil the obligations of the Sudan in connection with the instruments which it has signed, in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Charter on the Rights of the Arab Child and the Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child, and follow up their implementation;

(b) Raise awareness of children’s issues and design ways and means of mobilizing the public;

(c) Enhance the security of family life and ensure the family’s basic needs with a view to creating the stable environment required for the sound upbringing of children;

(d) Provide full preventive health care and treatment for children;

(e) Establish development-led social services for all children;

(f) Establish education centres for particular categories of children;

(g) Coordinate the efforts of government bodies, voluntary societies and grass-roots associations involved with children and follow up and evaluate children’s activities;

(h) Issue internal regulations governing the activities and meetings of the Council;

(i) Establish a statistical database on the situation of children, provide a reference base from which everyone may benefit, including decision-makers and researchers, and undertake research and studies to determine the needs of children, diagnose their problems and propose alternatives in a bid to improve their circumstances;

(j) Organize meetings and discussion seminars for researchers and decision-makers, review the situation of children, develop projects and assist in outlining the implementation of follow-up methods;

(k) Assist in running training courses and workshops aimed at improving the performance of children’s organizations and devise training materials for that purpose.

22. In conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the State prepared a national plan of action after convening a number of national conferences and also developed a number of sectoral plans. With a view to implementing the provisions of the Convention, the National Council for Child Welfare is able to call upon the following mechanisms:

(a) The General Secretariat of the National Council for Child Welfare: This is the executive and administrative body of the Council, headed by a secretary-general who ranks as a minister of State;

(b) State councils for children: These consist in child welfare councils at the state level and in children’s committees at the provincial and local district levels. State councils are formed under the chairmanship of the state governor (wali) and with the membership of the ministers concerned with children’s affairs, the commissioners and three other people with an interest in children’s affairs. Each state council also establishes a general secretariat, which serves as its administrative and executive body. The state councils for children play a part in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as they encourage the child services units to fulfil their role. They also supply the National Council for Child Welfare with information relating to children, follow up and monitor implementation of the Convention and organize all children’s activities in the states, thus playing a role similar to that of the Council. In all, 21 state councils have hitherto been established, as shown in the following table:

State Date of establishment

1. Gezira 1993
2. North Darfur 1993
3. Khartoum 1993
4. River Nile 1994
5. Bahr al-Jabal 1994
6. South Kordofan 1994
7. Kassala 1994
8. Upper Nile 1995
9. West Darfur 1995
10. West Bahr al-Ghazal 1995
11. White Nile 1995
12. Sennar 1994
13. South Darfur 1995
14. Jonglei 1996
15. Lakes 1996
16. West Kordofan 1996
17. Gedaref 1996
18. East Equatoria 1997
19. West Equatoria 1997
20. Red Sea 1997
21. Blue Nile 1997

In the provinces, the children’s committees are arranged in the same way as those at the state level under the chairmanship of the commissioner and with the membership of the directors of the ministries concerned with children’s affairs.

(c) The Technical Advisory Committee of the National Council for Child Welfare: This was formed in accordance with the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 400 of 18 September 1995 on the basis of article 10 of the National Council for Child Welfare Act. This Committee, which comprises representatives of all the ministries, government departments and units concerned with children’s affairs, is charged with outlining general policies and drawing up national child welfare plans and programmes. It is regarded as a follow-up mechanism, as it has the opportunity to carry out sectoral follow-up work through its special branch committees, which provide additional information on children and the type of services available to them.

(d) The Coordinating Committee for Voluntary Societies: This Committee, which comprises all the children’s societies, was established to coordinate national and foreign voluntary efforts in order to avoid duplication and channel the resources available for children in the best direction. The regulations governing its work were issued under the signature of the President of the Republic in November 1994. One of its offshoots is an executive committee, chosen through free and direct elections, which deals with seven critical areas of concern:

(i) Law;
(ii) Health;
(iii) Education;
(iv) Social welfare;
(v) Finance;
(vi) Information;

(vii) Emergency situations.

23. In addition to the above mechanisms, the General Secretariat of the National Council for Child Welfare took to making field visits, one of the most useful ways of discovering the reality of a situation, with a view to determining the amount of progress achieved. Such visits were conducted by teams headed by the Minister of State and the Secretary-General of the Council.

24. On 24 November 1996, the President of the Republic issued a directive declaring the National Council for Child Welfare as the official umbrella for the coordination of all child-related activities in the Sudan. The Council of Ministers also issued its Resolution No. 145 of 16 March 1997 in which it designated the National Council for Child Welfare as the counterpart of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in all matters relating to children’s projects and programmes, both official and voluntary, in the Sudan.

25. With a view to promoting awareness of the provisions of the Convention and rallying the public, the National Council for Child Welfare made efforts to publicize and disseminate the Convention at the federal and state levels by circulating 11,000 copies in Arabic and English to senior politicians and executives, grass-roots and voluntary organizations, judges, teachers, children and families. It also organized seminars and workshops in Khartoum and in various states, as illustrated in the table below.

C. Problems, obstacles and future outlook with respect to implementation
of the Convention

26. Despite the substantial progress achieved in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the drain of the war on the economy stands as a major obstacle to further improvement, especially when coupled with the lack of assistance provided on that score by the international community. In this context, the National Council for Child Welfare has made efforts to:

− Improve its performance level by recruiting suitably qualified personnel with a view to achieving the desired structure, as approved by the Council of Ministers;
− Prepare an integrated project for a core database to provide information on all child-related matters at the national and federal levels;
− Activate the state councils with a view to ensuring that they each convene during the current year;
− Heighten the involvement of the Government, voluntary organizations and grass-roots efforts in order to broaden the scope of programmes aimed at raising awareness of children’s issues;
− Conduct scientific surveys and prepare studies on children, in which connection a study on child employment has now been drafted;
− Formulate plans to step up teaching in the field of child welfare at both the federal and state levels;
− Begin preparing an ambitious service scheme in order to recruit greater numbers of personnel who are qualified for work relating to children.

27. The introduction to this report provides information on the process of its preparation, the extent of the participation in that process, the steps taken to publicize and translate the report and the measures adopted to ensure wide dissemination of the concluding observations adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in relation to the previous report of the Sudan.

Seminars and workshops introducing the Convention on the Rights of the Child

II. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD
(art. 1)

28. Sudanese legislative acts employ a variety of words to refer to children, depending on the rights to be safeguarded. This discussion of the definition of the child will begin with an overview of the concept of the child and then proceed to highlight the substance of Sudanese laws on the subject.

29. The word “infant” or “child” applies to any young being from the time of emergence from the mother’s womb until the age of puberty. The word appears in the Quran: “It was He who created you from dust, making you a little germ, and then a clot of blood. He brings you infants into the world; you reach full maturity, then decline into old age.” It is therefore a term that is clearly used to refer to an individual from the time of birth until puberty or full maturity is attained. Childhood is thus the period between birth and puberty.

30. The maturity which signals the end of childhood is attained when an individual becomes fully rational and discerning (mumayyaz) and acquires intellectual, mental and physical maturity. In the view of jurisprudents, maturity is marked in two ways: the first is the appearance of the usual outward “signs of maturity”, such as puberty, the growth of pubic hair and, in the case of young girls, menstruation and the ability to conceive. The second is the attainment of full legal age, a subject on which jurists hold differing views and on which other positive laws are also at variance.

31. As for the concept of the child in Sudanese law, an examination of the child-related laws reveals that they employ different terms, such as “infant”, “minor”, “young person” or “juvenile”, “delinquent”, “sexually immature youth” and “pupil”. The absence of a specific definition or term for the child is clearly attributable to the fact that the types of protection developed by the legislature vary according to the age of the child and the rights and obligations involved. This is consistent with article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, maturity is attained earlier.” This provision provides scope for national legislations to determine the age of a child as being no higher than 18 years. Clearly, there is no difference between Sudanese legislative acts and the above article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A. Minimum legal age and the rights of the child in the Sudan

1. Legal and medical counselling without parental consent

(a) Legal counselling

32. Article 22 of the Civil Transactions Act of 1984 stipulates that any person having attained 18 years of age is fully competent to exercise his civil rights and that any person who lacks discretion on account of his young age (below seven years) or who is demented or insane is incompetent to exercise his civil rights. It also specifies that any person having attained the age of discretion who has not reached full legal age and is profligate or negligent is incompetent as prescribed by law. A person who is legally incompetent is, according to circumstance, subject to the provisions on guardianship, tutorship and custodianship. On that basis, articles 116 to 120 of the Civil Procedures Act of 1983 stipulate that civil procedures on behalf of a minor who is a plaintiff or a defendant in any lawsuit must be conducted by the guardian appointed by the court for that purpose. Any measures taken against a minor without the appointment of such a guardian are deemed invalid. Similarly, a minor having attained 15 years of age may, before he reaches the full legal age of 18, administer his property with the permission of his guardian or tutor, provided that he first obtains leave to do so from the court. In that case, he is legally competent

insofar as those matters for which he has received authorization are concerned and has the right to seek legal counselling, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

(b) Medical counselling

33. The right of the child to enjoy protection and care should not be prejudiced by the provisions concerning the guardianship of individuals and property, which aim to protect children from their own vulnerability, immaturity and lack of reason. A guardian has the duty of care and bears social responsibility in the first instance for any failure of that duty, as well as legal responsibility in accordance with article 76 of the Penal Code of 1991. It is therefore clear that the child should not receive medical counselling except in the presence of his guardian or tutor or any person standing in the place of either. The child’s father, legal guardian or custodian is responsible for taking care of his health, as affirmed in article 44, paragraph 1, of the Public Health Act of 1975, pursuant to which the child’s father, guardian, custodian, school principal or health officer is responsible for ensuring that the child receives all initial and subsequent inoculations.

2. End of compulsory education

34. Promulgated in 1992, the Public Education Act specifies the different stages of education and provides for continuation of the basic stage for eight years instead of six. Basic education begins with the pre-school stage at the age of four, which means in principle that primary school enrolment takes place at the age of six. One of the educational policies adopted is to ensure that compulsory basic education is universally available by 2000, in which connection sovereign decrees were promulgated with a view to encouraging all families to enrol their children in school at the basic stage. Educational regulations were also issued, specifying six years as the age of school admission, although pupils may still be admitted up to the age of nine years. In other words, compulsory education ends at the age of 14 years for pupils admitted at six years of age and at the age of 16 years for pupils admitted at eight years of age.

3. Admission to employment or work, including hazardous work, part-time work
and full-time work

35. Formerly, there were several different laws on child employment, each of which dealt individually with one particular aspect of the question. In view of the identical subject matter, however, it was considered appropriate to amalgamate them into one law, namely the Labour Act of 1997, the provisions of which regulate the method of admission to employment or work and cover hazardous work, part-time work and full-time work, as follows:

(a) The Act stipulates that children under 18 years of age are not permitted to work, with the exception of those employed in government-run training schools, in non-profit-making training workshops or in family-owned businesses in which only other family members are employed under supervision of the owner, and those employed under an industrial apprenticeship;

(b) The Act defines a “young person” as any individual under the age of 16 years;

(c) The Act prohibits the employment of young people in jobs which are hazardous or harmful to health or which are physically demanding and in jobs or occupations which are detrimental to their morals, pursuant to article 21 of the Labour Act of 1997;

(d) The Act stipulates that young people may not be employed at night between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., nor may they work overtime or during official or weekly holidays or for longer than

seven hours, a period which must be interspersed with one hour’s rest with pay. Moreover, young people may not work for more than four hours continuously.

4. Marriage and sexual consent

(a) Marriage of Muslims

36. Given that the basis of marriage is consent, article 34 of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 stipulates that a guardian may give a mature woman in marriage if she consents to the husband and to the dowry. Her statement of her maturity is accepted unless it is conspicuously false. Information has already been provided on how maturity is determined, namely on the attainment of puberty or the appearance of unmistakable physical signs. Article 40 of the Act nevertheless permits the marriage of a person of discretion; in accordance with paragraph 2 of the article, discretion is acquired at 10 years of age. A 10-year-old male is therefore permitted to marry if it is demonstrated that the marriage is likely to be in his interest. A guardian may not, however, give a 10-year-old girl in marriage without the consent of the judge, which is based on the considerations of advantage and good reason, provided that the husband is suitable and the dowry equals that of the girl’s peers.

(b) Marriage of non-Muslims

37. The marriage of non-Muslims is regulated by the Marriage of Non-Muslims Act of 1926, article 10 of which stipulates that the competent court may invalidate a marriage entered into under the Act by a male under 15 years of age or a female under 13 years of age.

38. As for minors, the Act stipulates that their consent is required for marriage. Article 29 provides that if either one of the couple to be married is under 21 years of age and is not widowed or divorced, it is essential to obtain the written and signed consent of the father, or of the mother if the father is deceased, delinquent or outside the country, or of the guardian if both parents are deceased, delinquent or outside the country. In all cases, if the party in question has no parent or guardian resident in the Sudan who is qualified to consent to the marriage, the judge of the court may give his written consent if, after interviewing the couple, he is persuaded that the marriage is appropriate. In such cases, his consent has the same effect as the consent given by a father or mother. The Sudan recognizes no sexual relationship or consent outside the marital relations defined by the divine laws and governed by the above-mentioned laws.

5. Age of voluntary enlistment in the armed forces, conscription into the armed forces
and participation in hostilities

39. It is well-known that the Sudan’s compliance with humanitarian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child derives from its practice of ratifying any convention which it signs with a law, pursuant to which the convention in question becomes an internal law of the State that must be constitutionally and legally respected. Consequently, the People’s Armed Forces Act of 1986 stipulates the conditions for recruitment to the ranks of the armed forces, namely that the person concerned must be sufficiently fit and healthy to withstand the rigours of military service. Article 10, paragraphs 4 and 5, stipulates that all those capable of bearing arms are regarded as a reserve force and that the President of the Republic may call upon them to serve in any branch or unit of the armed forces whenever the need arises. Paragraph 5 also stipulates that, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 4, the President of the Republic may require any person who is capable of bearing arms to undergo military training and thus be prepared as a member of a reserve force in accordance with the conditions specified by any law or decree in force. The Popular Defence Act of 1989 was accordingly promulgated and provides that any

person volunteering for the Popular Defence Forces must be no younger than 16 years of age and medically fit. The National Conscription Act of 1992 also stipulates that any Sudanese person having attained 18 years of age and who is no older than 33 years of age may be subject to conscription, which is consistent with the provisions of article 38 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

6. Criminal responsibility

40. Article 8 of the Sudanese Penal Code of 1991 stipulates that criminal responsibility applies only to persons who are legally obliged to fulfil the precepts of the law and also capable of exercising free choice. In regard to acts of minors, article 9 provides that a minor who has not attained maturity is not deemed to have perpetrated an offence. The measures of care and reform stipulated in the Code must, however, be applied in the case of all such persons over seven years of age, as the court deems fit. Accordingly:

(a) A person having attained seven years of age has no criminal responsibility;

(b) Article 3 stipulates that “a mature person” means any person showing the unmistakable physical signs of proof that he has reached puberty, which could apply to a person having attained 15 years of age. Any person having attained 18 years of age is considered mature, even if he shows no such signs of maturity;

(c) Pursuant to article 3, a child is not considered responsible for a criminal act, although he is subject to the measures of care stipulated in article 47, pursuant to which the court may apply such measures to a young suspect who was over 7 and under 18 years of age at the time of perpetration of the criminal offence, as well as reform measures intended to improve and correct behaviour.

7. Capital punishment

41. The Penal Code contains provisions relating to capital punishment. Article 27, paragraph 2, for example, stipulates that, apart from crimes of hadd (doctrinal punishment) or qasas (retribution), no person under 18 or over 70 years of age may be sentenced to death. Article 27, paragraph 2 (f), deals with the criminal responsibility of persons between the ages of 7 and 18. For crimes of murder or qasas (retribution), they are pardoned or ordered to pay blood money to the relatives of the victim. The death penalty is not enforced unless the latter refuse to accept the blood money or agree to a pardon.

8. Life imprisonment

42. Article 33, paragraph 3, of the Penal Code of 1991 stipulates that, except for crimes of brigandry, a sentence of life imprisonment may not be handed down to any person under 18 years of age.

9. Giving testimony in court in civil and criminal cases

43. The testimony of a discerning child is admissible pursuant to the Evidence Act of 1993, article 24 of which stipulates that any rational person who is discerning in regard to the facts about which he is testifying is competent to give testimony.

10. Lodging complaints and seeking redress before a court or other relevant authority without
parental consent

44. The Criminal Procedures Act of 1991 defines a complaint as a verbal or written allegation made by a person against whom or against whose property an offence has been committed. There is nothing to prevent the courts from admitting any complaint lodged by children to the effect that an offence has been committed against them.

11. Participation in administrative and judicial proceedings affecting the child

45. There are no legal obstacles to the appearance of a child before a juvenile court, whether as a complainant or as a witness.

12. Giving consent to change of identity, including change of name, modification of family
    relations, adoption and guardianship

46. The law does not permit a child in the Sudan to change his name or modify family relations, adoption and guardianship until he has reached full legal age.

13. Having access to information concerning the biological family

47. The Personal Status Act of 1991 stipulates that legal proceedings may be instituted with a view to establishing a blood relationship. Such proceedings may establish paternity or filiation alone or may secure other rights in addition. The Act also stipulates that the acknowledgement of a blood relationship other than paternity, filiation or maternity applies to no one other than the person making the acknowledgement unless substantiated or given as testimony. The Act further stipulates that a blood relationship may be established by means of testimony, common knowledge and hearsay (articles 97, 102 and 103 of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991).

14. Legal capacity to inherit, to conduct property transactions and to create or join associations

48. The capacity of a child to inherit is established before birth. The Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 stipulates that the larger share of an estate should be bequeathed to the unborn child until it is known whether the child is male or female.

49. As for the conduct of property transactions, the financial dealings of a discerning young person over seven years of age are valid if they are wholly beneficial to him and invalid if they are wholly detrimental to him. Dealings which are a combination of the two may be invalidated in his interest in accordance with the provisions of article 55 of the Civil Transactions Act of 1984.

50. The Act of 1957 which previously regulated the creation and joining of associations specified 18 years as the minimum joining age. The Act of 1995 promulgated in its place, however, specifies no joining age, which means that there is nothing to prevent the child from joining social leagues within his or her own vicinity.

15. Choosing a religion and attending religious school teaching

51. Sudanese laws specify no minimum age for choosing a religion. The birth certificate contains no details of a child’s religion, although it states the father’s religion. The child is therefore born with a natural disposition and acquires whatever denomination it might be from the initial environment in which he thrives. The religion acquired by a child therefore depends on his early upbringing. Pursuant to the

Public Education Act and the School Regulations, a child has the right to attend religious classes in accordance with his creed and denomination.

16. Consumption of alcohol and other controlled substances

52. All children are forbidden to handle and consume alcohol. Any child who does so is in breach of the law in accordance with the provisions of articles 78, 79 and 80 of the Penal Code of 1991. Articles 15 and 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1994 also fully prohibit the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

17. How the minimum age for employment relates to the age of completion of compulsory
schooling, how it affects the rights of the child to education and how relevant international

instruments are taken in to account

53. Without question, the extension of schooling to the age of 16 years, mentioned earlier, enables children to complete the basic stage of education, which, as stated in paragraph 34 of this report, will be compulsory. The right of a child to education is consequently unaffected.

18. Cases where there is a difference in the legislation between girls and boys

54. In accordance with the law, the basis for marriage is maturity, the definition of which is given in this report. In Sudanese law, there is no difference between girls and boys in regard to the legal marriageable age, which is 10 years. There is a difference, however, in that, for the marriage of a discerning young girl, the law additionally requires that the judge must give his permission, the husband must be deemed suitable and the dowry must equal that of her peers. This requirement is stipulated out of concern for girls and in order to prevent any form of exploitation.

III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

A. Non-discrimination

55. Non-discrimination is a binding principle in Sudanese legislation. The Twelfth Constitutional Decree of 1995 provides for the distribution of federal powers under chapter III, article 6 of which stipulates that the federal authorities may implement legislation and generally make plans, including in connection with the matters covered in paragraph (e) concerning nationality, immigration, passports and alien affairs. These provisions affirm the importance of matters of nationality in that they affect all rights of citizenship and equality before the law.

56. Recently promulgated, the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree giving effect to the Peace Agreement of 1997 sets forth guiding principles in chapter II, article 3, paragraph 3 of which provides that legislation which prejudices the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens may not be enacted. Paragraph 3 (f) also provides that citizenship is the basis of public rights and duties. By virtue of their citizenship, all Sudanese participate on an equal footing in political, economic, social and cultural life. The Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997 therefore enshrines the principle of public freedoms and duties and the fundamental rights of citizens, which all Sudanese share by virtue of their citizenship. Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree stipulates as follows:

“1. The Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-faith State. Islam is the religion of the majority of the population and Christianity and other African beliefs have a considerable number of followers.

“2. Freedom of religion and belief is universally guaranteed, as is the freedom to practice religious ceremonies, engage in missionary activity, preach and offer spiritual guidance. No citizen may be coerced into embracing any religion or belief.”

57. The foregoing is one of the principal steps taken to ensure that discrimination is prevented and combated, in both law and practice, including discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, politics or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability or birth. Consequently, there is no discrimination in the Sudan, in conformity with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Measures adopted to reduce economic, social and geographical disparities

58. Article 3, paragraph 9, of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997 stipulates that the State must endeavour to ensure development at the state level and eliminate the disparities in basic services among the different states by drawing up a comprehensive social and economic plan. It also stipulates that priority should be given to the least developed states.

59. In regard to children with disability, the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act of 1994 (annexed hereto), which is a general law for disabled persons, including children, was promulgated. It encompasses all the provisions necessary to ensure that disabled persons experience no discrimination owing to their condition of health or their affliction.

60. As for children born out of wedlock, the Child Welfare Act of 1971 (annexed hereto) guarantees their enjoyment of a decent life and of non-discrimination. It also regulates adoption and foster placement for non-Muslims, as well as the establishment of homes which provide such children with shelter.

61. Homeless children are catered for under the Juvenile Welfare Act of 1983 (annexed hereto), which defines and puts in place the necessary safeguards for their benefit, including social and legal remedies, in order to ensure that they are not subjected to discrimination after they leave a care institution.

62. The Asylum Act of 1974 (annexed hereto) stipulates compliance with all conventions and treaties granting asylum to which the Sudan has acceded. In no aspect of life is there any discrimination against refugee children, to whom Sudanese laws apply in the same way as to Sudanese children.

63. Gender-based differences, exclusions and preferences are non-existent in law and in administrative practices, labour relations, education and health. On the contrary, all children have equal rights. This report contains detailed information on the groups of children mentioned above and the laws regulating the measures adopted in that connection. In every aspect, one of the most important child welfare measures adopted was the establishment of the National Council for Child Welfare, which is responsible for following up implementation of the Convention and the child-related laws in force, in conjunction with the relevant authorities. The Constitution and Sudanese laws guarantee that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination, punishment and harm on the basis of the status of the activities, expressed opinions or beliefs of the child’s parents, legal guardians or family members. Substantial progress has been made in disseminating programmes to raise awareness of the Convention and the laws and international instruments relating to non-discrimination and human rights, a purpose for which the Sudan is in need of further technical and material assistance.

B. Best interests of the child
(art. 3)

64. The Sudan devoted attention to the best interests of the child long before the Convention on the Rights of the Child came into being; both before and after its signature of the Convention, various laws were promulgated to guarantee the fundamental rights of the child to development and to respect for his or her being from the moment of birth, rights for which the States continues to show due regard in all economic and administrative matters. The National Child Welfare Act of 1991 (annexed hereto) was promulgated following the Sudan’s signature of the Convention. A number of other laws also contain provisions which affirm the State’s concern for the best interests of the child. Some of these provisions have a direct impact and others an indirect impact. They include:

The Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto)

65. The indirect effects include those covered by the provisions contained in chapter IX, entitled “Offences relating to public health and safety”, in accordance with which some acts, namely those which endanger life and property, are treated as offences punishable by law with a view to preserving public health and safety. These acts include pollution of water and the environment, negligence which endangers life and property, denial of assistance and breach of the legal obligation towards disabled persons. As already discussed, the Code guarantees protection for children by determining the age of criminal responsibility. It also provides for the punishment of any person who incites a minor to commit suicide (article 34), as well as for the punishment of abortion and acts leading to abortion or causing the death of the foetus. In addition, it covers the measures prescribed for juveniles (article 47).

The Civil Transactions Act of 1984 (annexed hereto)

66. The interests of the child are covered under articles 54 to 56, which accord to minors the right to conclude contracts. The provisions cover contracts involving minors who are capable of discretion or discernment and minors who are not. Article 54 stipulates that a minor who is capable of discretion has no

right to dispose of his property and that all of his transactions are invalid. The meaning of a person who has the discretion to conclude contracts has already been discussed. Article 56 also stipulates that 18 years is the full legal age, subject to any other restriction of capacity prescribed by law, including the legal restrictions of capacity mentioned earlier. The Labour Act of 1997 (annexed hereto) also provides for measures of care which are in the best interests of the child, as already discussed.

67. As stated in connection with the definition of the child, the Juvenile Welfare Act provides for the establishment of juvenile courts and a juvenile police force. The Chief Justice recently issued an ordinance establishing juvenile courts in every state of the Sudan in accordance with the Juvenile Welfare Act of 1983 (annexed hereto).

Administrative measures in the best interests of the child

68. One of the main characteristics of federal government in the Sudan that is has a low administrative profile. In that connection, the Twelfth Constitutional Decree of 1995 (annexed hereto) and the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997 (annexed hereto) both guarantee social welfare, which, under the stipulation of their provisions, is one of the responsibilities of the state governments. It is the task of the administrative authorities to fulfil that responsibility at the state level, to which end the Local Government Act of 1995 (annexed hereto) was promulgated.

The administrative authorities

69. Health is covered under chapter V of the Local Government Act of 1995, while security and public order is covered under chapter VI, the first part of which is entitled “`Access to guidance, education and employment for juvenile delinquents”. Chapter VII covers national education and the establishment of basic schools, literacy and adult education classes, the supervision of sports and cultural clubs and the establishment of nurseries. This clearly reflects the importance which the administrative authorities attach to children and the priority devoted to ensuring their best interests.

70. Planning and development policies also take into consideration the best interests of the child, incorporating as they do a strategy for children into the national housing policy insofar as the number of children constitutes a priority in matters of land allocation, the aim being to achieve stability for the family and consequently for the child. Students also enjoy the special concession of reduced fares when travelling on public transport. As for the environment, there is an environmental health law aimed at creating an environment conducive to ensuring the development of the child. Voluntary organizations are active in the field of environmental health and a court was recently established to examine environmental offences in order to preserve the health of the environment.

71. In regard to adoption and foster placement (kafalah), the laws regulate the latter in accordance with the Islamic Shariah, while adoption is regulated by the laws of non-Muslim confessions. The Personal Status Act also caters for the best interests of the child inasmuch as it includes a provision for bequests that may be applied to foster children. Islam prohibits adoption and, in accordance with the provisions of the Islamic Shariah, foster children cannot inherit. They may, however, be saved from destitution on the death of their foster carer by means of such bequests, a subject which is covered under articles 315 and 316 of the Personal Status for Muslims Act. This type of bequest is defined in article 315 as “a bequest enabling a person who is not entitled to inherit to acquire a specific share of the estate of the testator”, which is unquestionably in the interests of the foster child.

(a) The administration of juvenile justice

72. The administration of justice is guaranteed for all citizens in the Sudan, including children in any of the State institutions of justice, in accordance with the relevant laws. In view of the particular status of children, the Juvenile Welfare Act of 1983 (annexed hereto) was promulgated in order to ensure that they receive justice in every respect in the event that they have perpetrated an offence or crime. Justice is enforced by the competent authorities, such as the police, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the juvenile courts, probation offices and educational and care institutions, as stipulated in the Act. There are now four courts which deal specifically with juvenile cases: three in Khartoum state and one in Al-Obeid in North Kordofan state. The Chief Justice also recently issued a directive (annexed hereto) on the establishment of courts in all states of the Sudan. Where none of the special authorities stipulated in the Juvenile Welfare Act is available, the Office of the Public Prosecutor and the competent public courts are jointly responsible for taking legal action, with due regard for all aspects of the status of juveniles. Under the Prison Regulations, juveniles remanded in custody are also accorded special status in that they are segregated from adult detainees.

(b) Placement and care of children in institutions

73. The existing institutions for the placement of children are in need of refurbishment. It is now time to carry out such refurbishment and to establish care homes for young people who are homeless. Despite the efforts of the legislative and administrative authorities, the difficulties encountered in implementing such programmes prevent attainment of the desired objectives. In particular, the low level of support provided by foreign voluntary organizations and the relevant United Nations agencies working in the Sudan has an adverse affect on the performance of those authorities.

(c) Social security

74. The basic elements of the social security channelled to children through the family include:

− Medical care;
− Sickness and unemployment benefits;
− Maternity allowances;
− Invalidity and old-age benefits;
− Benefits for poor and productive families;
− A maintenance allowance for orphans.

(See paragraph 35 of this report, which discusses the safety and health standards in connection with the care and protection of children.)

75. In brief, the fundamental problems encountered in guaranteeing the best interests of the child are the embargo, both declared and undeclared, against the Sudan, the civil war, the interferences of neighbouring countries, the external debt burdens, poverty and the inadequacy of foreign aid and assistance. The Sudan very much hopes that international organizations will assist in implementing the programmes formulated in that connection and in implementing the Convention in general.

C. The right to life, survival and development
(art. 6)

76. The State has adopted the measures needed to guarantee the child’s right to life and to create an environment conducive to ensuring the survival and development of the child, including physical, mental, spiritual, moral and psychological and social development, in a manner compatible with human dignity.

This it has done by devising a strategy for children which consists of both short-term and long-term programmes. The right of the child to life, survival and development is also affirmed in a number of different laws.

77. As for measures taken to ensure the registration of the deaths of children, there is a law governing the registration of deaths, namely the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1992 (annexed hereto).

78. The measures adopted to prevent suicide in children include the Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto), which stipulates that: “Any person who incites a minor or a person who is immature, insane, intoxicated or mentally disturbed to commit suicide shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year. If suicide is committed as a result of the incitement, he shall receive the penalty prescribed for pre-meditated murder.” The Code thus punishes the incitement of a child to commit suicide, as well as any breach of the legal obligation towards a disabled person.

D. Respect for the views of the child
(art.12)

79. The legislation in the Sudan emphasizes the right of children freely to express their opinions in all matters affecting them; the former Constitutions enshrined the right of all Sudanese, including children, to express their opinions and many of the legislative enactments and regulations promulgated under those Constitutions are still in force.

80. The legislation provides the opportunity for children to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings affecting him them and stipulates the situations in which the child may intervene directly or through a representative or an appropriate body. It also stipulates the right of the child to institute legal proceedings through his or her legal guardian in accordance with the Civil Procedures Act of 1993 (article 116). The Evidence Act further stipulates the right of children to give testimony (article 24).

81. The information requested in paragraphs 43, 44 and 45 of the general guidelines regarding the form and content of periodic reports (CRC/C/58) can be found in paragraphs 94-101 of this report, while the information requested in paragraph 46 of the general guidelines can be found in paragraph 352.

IV. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
(arts. 7, 8, 13-17 and 37 (a))

82. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by Act No. 80 of 1990 and published in Special Annex No. 1542 of 15 August 1990. Having been ratified by the legislative authorities in accordance with the legal and constitutional system in the Sudan, it acquired the same force as other laws and its implementation is consequently binding on all executive and judicial bodies and authorities at the federal and provincial levels.

A. Name and nationality
(art. 7)

83. The right to a proper name from birth is a legal right. Accordingly, every child born alive is given a name during the week after birth and is attributed to his or her father.

84. The State has long attached importance in its laws to the registration of births. At the time of submission of the initial report of the Sudan, the relevant law in force was the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1972. In the context of the federal government system which now prevails in the Sudan, however, the Act was reviewed in order to overcome the chief impediments to its application in practice. As a result, the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1995 was promulgated, pursuant to which the Act of 1972 was abolished. The basic measures established to ensure that every child is registered at birth are as follows:

(a) The registration of births is now compulsory in accordance with the provisions of article 5 of the above-mentioned Act, to which end registration at the state level is now carried out in conjunction with the health authorities, to which end the provinces are divided into registration districts. The Act also stipulates that, in every state, a registrar of births must be appointed by the wali (governor);

(b) Under the Act, every legal midwife attending a birth in the Sudan is required to give notification of the birth, as are the ‘umdah (village chief), the shaykh (village elder), the civil marriage officer, the father, if he was present at the birth, the mother, unless she is indisposed, and any adult living in the same house as the mother at the time of birth. In order to ensure that children are registered at birth, the Act stipulates that penalties are to be imposed on any of the afore-mentioned persons who fails to notify a birth.

85. Potential social and administrative obstacles have been overcome by ensuring that the administrative procedures for notifying a birth to the registrar are applicable to each district in every state, beginning with the local government areas and extending to include the ‘umdah (village chief), the shaykh (village elder), the civil marriage officer and the people’s committees. The registration of children born in any state, including children born to nomadic groups, displaced persons or refugees, is therefore unavoidable. Further information on this subject is provided elsewhere in this report.

86. In regard to respect of a child’s right to the preservation of his or her identity, article 10 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1995 stipulates the information to be provided at the time of notifying a birth, which must be done immediately. The elements of a child’s identity required by law are shown on the relevant forms, annexed hereto, and are as follows:

(a) The name of the newborn child, if alive at birth, and the male or female gender of the child;

(b) The full name of the father (consisting of four elements) and his age, occupation, domicile, nationality and religion, as well as the name and family name of the mother, the place of birth and the date of the certificate.

87. The law stipulates that that this information must be included in the register and that a certificate must be issued accordingly. If the information is not registered, the medical authorities issue certificates of age estimation on request. These certificates have the same force as evidence provided by witnesses. Consequently, all children born in the Sudan, whether registered or not, are able to prove their identity. This form of information prevents any kind of stigmatization or discrimination in regard to the child.

88. The measures adopted to ensure the child’s right to know the identity of his parents and receive their care are set forth in paragraph 51 of the initial report. The subject is regulated under chapter III of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991.

89. The Sudanese Nationality Act of 1957 was abolished on promulgation of the Sudanese Nationality Act of 1993 (annexed hereto), article 3 of which defines the word “parent” to include the mother of a child born out of legal wedlock or whose filiation is unacknowledged. It also defines the word “child” as a legitimate child, which includes the adopted child and children of either spouse. Measures taken to ensure the child’s right to acquire a nationality include the provisions contained in article 4, paragraph 2, which stipulate that: “A child born following the entry into force of this Act is Sudanese by birth if, at the time of his birth, his father was Sudanese by birth.”

90. Paragraph 3 of the same article stipulates that: “A person born to parents who are Sudanese by naturalization shall be Sudanese by birth if the parents acquired Sudanese nationality by naturalization prior to his or her birth.” Paragraph 5 of the same article also stipulates that: “A minor of unknown parents who is found abandoned shall be regarded as Sudanese by birth until it is proved otherwise.” Article 7, paragraph 4, further stipulates that the minister may, on request, include the names of minor children on any certificate of Sudanese naturalization granted to their responsible parent and that each of those minor children is regarded as Sudanese by naturalization from the date when his or her name is entered on the certificate of naturalization. Under article 9, the President of the Republic is vested with the authority to grant a certificate of Sudanese naturalization to any alien, even where the law provides otherwise.

91. It is clear from the above that the Sudanese laws provide considerable opportunity for children born out of wedlock and for asylum-seeking and refugee children to acquire nationality.

B. Preservation of identity
(art. 8)

92. It is well-known that the Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-faith State, a situation for which the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1998 (annexed hereto) has due regard in that article 3, paragraph 1, thereof stipulates that: “The Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-faith State. Islam is the religion of the majority of the population and Christianity and other African beliefs have a considerable number of followers.” The approach adopted in this Decree affirms the wording in the preamble to the Convention in which the international community signals its agreement to the content, taking into account the importance of the traditions and cultural values of all peoples as a guarantee of the protection and harmonious development of the child. The individual pieces of federal legislation also take into account the specific situation in each state with a view to preserving the identity of its people and children. Constitutional and legal protection is thus provided with a view to the preservation and

establishment of all elements of a child’s identity. It is also prohibited by law to take children out of the country, to conceal or occasion their disappearance and to substitute them with other children.

93. Article 9 of The Seventh Constitutional Decree of 1993 (annexed hereto) states that the rights of citizens include freedom of public expression, participation and adherence to the law. Paragraph 2 of the article stipulates that: “A citizen has the legal right of freedom of belief without coercion and freedom of worship without impediment, as well as the right of freedom from injustice or discrimination in public rights by reason of his or her personal religious faith.”

C. Freedom of expression
(art. 13)

94. Article 3, paragraph 3, of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997 stipulates that: “Legislation which prejudices the fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens may not be enacted.” This provision therefore guarantees the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights, including freedom of expression for all adults and children. In addition, the aims of education, as articulated in the Public Education Act of 1992 (annexed hereto), are, inter alia, to “exercise the minds of young people, educate them in the sciences, infuse them with experience, develop their bodies through exercise, further their integrity through customs and morals and teach them to be scrupulous in their thoughts, actions and treatment of others.” The same Act states that one of the strategic aims of education is to “encourage creativity, develop abilities and skills, provide opportunities for training in modern technology and develop and adapt that technology in order to further justice, good and probity through the optimum use of resources with a view to the achievement of comprehensive development.”

95. The School Regulations (annexed hereto) also state that main school activities should include morning parades, school broadcasts, the production of newspapers for posting on walls, activities run by artistic, literary and scientific societies and drama activities, all of which provide children with full opportunities to express their views and develop their abilities and talents.

96. It is well known that rights usually obtain without restrictions on their exercise within the framework of compliance with the law. Any such restrictions, however, should not prevent exercise of the right of freedom of expression, as stated in the above-mentioned Constitutional Decree. Restrictions to which the exercise of this right may be subjected are no different from those spelled out the Convention as being necessary in the interests of, for example, the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, the protection of national security or of public order (ordre publique), or of public health or morals, in addition to restrictions in the interests of the rejection of any call to violence.

97. In actual practice, therefore, children in the Sudan freely express their opinions through every medium and in school activities, without impediment, restriction or distinction other than as stated above in exhaustive detail.

D. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
(art. 14)

98. The Sudanese legislative enactments in this field are in concert with the innate character of the human being, on which basis freedom of thought, conscience and religion for children in the Sudan is rooted in instinct, as affirmed by the fact that the family is the first physical environment inhabited by the child. The family therefore has a major impact on the formation of the child’s thought, conscience and religion. In prescribing the child’s right to the preservation of identity, consideration must be given to the fact that, owing to his or her vulnerability and immaturity, the child’s thoughts and beliefs are shaped by the customs, culture and religion of his or her earliest environment. This is confirmed in article 3,

paragraph 2, of the Fourteenth Constitutional Decree of 1997 (annexed hereto), which stipulates that: “Freedom of religion, belief and worship is guaranteed for all, as is the freedom to practice preaching, missionary activity and spiritual guidance. No citizen may be coerced into embracing any religion or creed. Freedom of religion is embodied in the public practice of the ceremonies of all religions and the creation of a climate conducive to ensuring the practice of ceremonies of worship. Legislation which prejudices the religious rights of any citizen may not be enacted.”

99. This unequivocal provision represents a constitutional safeguard of the right of the child to manifest his or her religion or beliefs. Moreover, in accordance with the Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto), any person who contravenes the provisions of articles 125 and 127 thereof is held accountable and punished, including any person who destroys or defiles any place intended for worship or anything held sacred by any group of people or who opposes or disrupts a religious gathering. Sudanese legislation thus punishes actions which are liable to cause overt injury to religious sentiment.

100. In regard to the measures taken to guarantee respect for the child’s right in relation to any religious teaching in public schools or institutions, the objectives of public education stated in the Public Education Act of 1992 (annexed hereto) and in the education strategy are, inter alia, that the State should endeavour to “instil religious belief and morals in young people, impart to them the teachings and heritage of religion and lead them to embrace the path of religion in order to build a faithful, God-worshipping and civilized individual who is capable of bearing responsibility and implanting social values motivated by devoutness and piety.” The School Regulations of 1993 (annexed hereto) proceed along the same lines, stating that children in Sudanese schools should receive instruction in their respective religions. This freedom is subject only to those limitations set forth in the Convention and internationally recognized as controls on the exercise of fundamental freedoms and rights. On that basis, the Sudan has overcome the major obstacle preventing implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Differences of religion therefore pose no obstacle to the protection, development and survival of children.

E. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly
(art. 15)

101. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Sudanese legislative enactments and protected by the Convention inasmuch as it is a national law. Freedom of association is guaranteed for children in schools, student unions and universities in accordance with the Public Education Act of 1992 (annexed hereto) and the School Regulations of 1993 (annexed hereto), article 17 of which stipulates that school activity is an essential part of the curriculum, as the two are mutually complementary in both theory and practice. Such activity breaks down the barriers and divisions between the school and the surrounding environment, develops and refines talents and aptitudes, deepens the spirit of community and sense of responsibility and ensures that leisure time is fruitfully spent in useful pursuits. Article 18 of the School Regulations also stipulates that school associations should be established for different types of religious, cultural, social, scientific, sporting and artistic activity, each on the basis of the child’s inclinations, desires and potential. It is thus affirmed that Sudanese legislative enactments meet the requirement of article 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and categorize the principles articulated therein as fundamental rights.

102. All associations registered in accordance with the law enjoy a legal personality, financial protection and the right of legal action. This liberal framework has encouraged the establishment, in all states of the Sudan, of various non-profit-making associations which are essentially geared to offer children’s activities in the fields of health, education, sports, culture, art and science. Although continuous

efforts are being made on this score, further support is needed, particularly in the areas of civil war in the south.

103. Freedom of peaceful assembly is guaranteed by law, unless such assembly leads to unrest or a breach of peace and public security, in accordance with articles 67 and 69 of the Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto).

F. Protection of privacy
(art. 16)

104. The previous report referred to the protection of this right under the Penal Code of 1991, specifically chapter XVI, article 166, thereof. In addition, articles 158 and 159 punish slander and defamation of reputation and article 160 punishes the use of abusive and insulting language.

105. The law provides protection against any interference in privacy and against
slurs on honour and reputation by prescribing the penalty of imprisonment and a fine for any person who commits such offences in contravention of the provisions of the aforementioned articles. The Penal Code of 1991 also stipulates the inviolability of homes and provides that they cannot be searched without the permission of the occupants, a judge or the competent representative of the Office of the Public Prosecutor, in accordance with the rules and procedures specified by law. The remedies made available to the child entail following the procedures for reporting a complaint under the Code, which protects these rights and punishes their violation.

G. Access to appropriate information
(art. 17)

106. The Public Education Act of 1992 (annexed hereto) stipulates that the aims of public education and the education strategy are to encourage creativity, develop abilities and skills and provide opportunities for training in modern technology. The fundamental freedoms and rights articulated in the Peace Agreement of 1997 (annexed hereto) also include the freedom to express and develop culture and language. There is now a significant move in the country towards the production and dissemination of children’s books, together with the transmission of radio and television programmes for children and the family.

107. Obstacles and difficulties posed by the high cost of producing children’s newspapers and books nevertheless continue to hinder the flow and dissemination of information. Efforts to seek international cooperation for the production, exchange and dissemination of information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child remains an utmost imperative; the limited amount of international assistance provided to the Sudan in this connection and the consequences of the undeclared economic and political embargo against it affect the development of the child’s creative abilities and potential. In regard to the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, Sudanese laws in general protect Sudanese culture and morals and public decency. The Press and Publications Act of 1996 (annexed hereto), for example, prohibits the publication of anything which offends public decency, damages social customs or fuels dissension.

H. The right not to be subjected to torture or other degrading treatment or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment
(art. 37 (a))

108. Chapter IV of the Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto), entitled “Welfare and reform”, stipulates that a court may discipline a juvenile suspect who has attained the age of 10 years by ordering that he should be flogged, although the number of lashes may not exceed 20. Article 190, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Procedures Act of 1991 provides that sentences must be immediately enforced, even if an appeal is lodged, except in the case of sentences including, inter alia, flogging. The provisions of article 194, paragraph 1, also stipulate that, in executing sentences such as flogging, the state of health of the person so sentenced must be taken into account, as must the appropriate time for enforcement, with a view to ensuring that the individual concerned endures no greater harm than intended by the punishment.

109. Article 197, paragraph (b), determines how flogging is to be carried out by stipulating that a medium-sized whip must be used to administer each lash in a single moderate stroke which breaks neither skin nor bone and which is directed away from the face, head and vital areas of the body. Paragraph (c) of the same article also provides that the judge must order a halt to the flogging if it becomes apparent to him while it is being carried out that the offender’s state of health will no longer enable him to withstand the remainder of the punishment.

110. Article 15, paragraph (l), of the School Regulations of 1993 (annexed hereto) provides that a teacher has a duty to refrain from disciplining pupils by means of verbal insult, which is distasteful and undignified, and from reprimanding pupils in anger.

111. Article 16 of the School Regulations also provides that a teacher has a duty to abide by the following principles of reward and punishment:

(a) He must desist from rudeness, control his anger and excuse the errors of pupils;

(b) He must bear in mind the factors which determine the efficacy and suitability of the type of reward and punishment, namely the child’s age, economic and social status, individual conformity and personality;

(c) He must lean towards moderation in punishment, exercise caution and care and avoid making mistakes and wounding pride;

(d) He must carry out the punishment in segregation and hand out rewards in front of other pupils as an incentive;

(e) He may not cane or kick pupils or strike them on the face or head;

(f) He may not subject pupils to collective punishment, such as flogging or verbal insults and abuse. In boys’ schools, any punishment of flogging which it is found necessary to impose must not exceed four lashes, although the matter must first be taken up with the school principal and consideration given to the pupil’s state of health;

(g) He must refrain from punishment when in a state of anger and irritation.

112. It is clear from the above that the intention behind any measure taken against a child is not to inflict torture, cruelty or insult or even simply to impose punishment. On the contrary, the intention is to

correct and discipline. The Ministry of Education has adopted a programme to raise teachers’ awareness of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the National Council for Child Welfare has also carried out training and awareness-raising activities for personnel in institutions, services and facilities working with and for children aimed at preventing any form of ill-treatment. In conclusion, the attention paid to the civil rights and freedoms of children in the Sudan, the type and extent of which vary as to the strength of their impact and the connection between means and ends, ensures that such rights, whether moral or material in substance, permeate all aspects of human life.

V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE
(arts. 5; 18, paras. 1-2; 9-11; 19-21; 25; 27, para. 4; and 39)

A. Parental guidance
(art. 5)

113. The structure of the family in Sudanese society is made up of the father and mother, who represent the smaller family of the child in accordance with the inherited Sudanese social tradition. The wider family is the child’s extended family and includes brothers, sisters and so on. This structure is affirmed in various laws, such as the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 and the Penal Code of 1991, which stipulate the rights and duties of parents and other persons legally responsible for the child in providing appropriate direction and guidance to the child in a manner consistent with the child’s evolving capacities.

114. The various laws and measures adopted in the Sudan offer numerous opportunities for the provision of family counselling services and the conduct of awareness campaigns on the rights of the child within family life. The most significant of these is the Adult Education Act, pursuant to which those who missed out on education are able to enrol in specific programmes aimed at teaching them what they need to know in order to fulfil their duties towards their children. The establishment of numerous voluntary organizations under the Voluntary Work Act of 1995 similarly provided extensive training opportunities to large numbers of social workers with a view to helping them to disseminate information to such families. Here, it is worth mentioning that the provision of sufficient funding for the organizations and bodies engaged in this work enables them to increase their activities in the communities in question. Technical and material support also furthers the efforts to pinpoint the ideal method of conveying knowledge and information about child development and the evolving capacities of the child to parents or other persons responsible for the child.

B. Parental responsibilities
(art. 18, paras. 1- 2)

115. The Penal Code of 1991 (annexed hereto) devotes particular attention to the legal responsibility of parents towards their children in an effort to ensure compliance with and fulfilment of that responsibility. The provisions of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 (annexed hereto), which are consistent with Muslim beliefs, emphasize that priority and preference should be given to the interests of the child by providing food, clothing, shelter and a sound upbringing. The laws regulating public health and education also emphasize the joint responsibility of parents for the upbringing and development of the child. These laws further stress compliance with the principles of non-discrimination and respect for the child’s views in accordance with his or her level of development. The government authorities, voluntary organizations and social funds in the Sudan provide parents, or legal guardians in the absence of one or both parents, with the assistance needed to help them fulfil their responsibilities in regard to child upbringing and very frequently shoulder the full costs. On assuming its responsibilities towards children in the Sudan, the National Council for Child Welfare immediately proceeded to draw up a list of the institutions involved in working with children and ensure coordination among them. These institutions are as follows:

Institution Type of Type of
institution service

1. Council for the Welfare Government Coordination among
of Orphans and Widows organizations
involved in orphan care
(educational, health and
social services, material and
moral support and
productive family projects)
2. Zakat Office Government

3. Solidarity Fund (project for Government
carers and their charges, child
welfare homes)

4. Orphan Care Homes Government

5. Savings and Social Development Bank for the poor
Bank

6. Sudanese Islamic Bank Private sector

7. Bank of the Two Niles for Government
Industrial Development

8. Al-Shahid Organization Voluntary organization

9. Sudanese Association for Voluntary organization
Children’s Villages

10. Muwwaffaq Charitable Voluntary organization
Organization

11. Ithar Charitable Organization Voluntary organization

12. Salsabil Charitable Organization Voluntary organization

13. Islamic Relief Agency Voluntary organization

14. African Maternal and Child Voluntary organization
Welfare Society

15. World Health Institution Voluntary organization

16. International Women’s Centre Voluntary organization

17. International Endowments Body Voluntary organization

18. Al-Ayna’ Charitable Society Voluntary organization

116. A further 54 voluntary associations also provide children’s services in their respective areas of activity. It should be mentioned that that these agencies, voluntary organizations and banking institutions operate at the federal and state levels, without distinction. Despite the valuable services which they offer, however, such institutions are unable to expand and increase their activities due to lack of resources. They therefore require financial support from international sources, coordinated under the auspices of the National Council for Child Welfare, with a view to the delivery of humanitarian services and social support to children displaced by the armed foreign aggression waged against Sudanese territory on three fronts.

117. At the federal and state levels, the Government is now formulating and implementing programmes to provide cash and material support to poor families in addition to the support provided by social solidarity funds and other institutions. An example of the support provided to orphans by voluntary organizations follows below. The foster placement and care of orphans and their families is handled by social centres established for that purpose. These centres look after the educational and health interests of orphans. The groups who benefit from these services include fostered orphans and their families (widows and siblings) and poor families living in the vicinity of such centres.

1. Services provided

118. These include maintenance payments for orphan families and assistance in the form of food and clothing, as well as other essential needs secured for orphans by way of their monthly allowances.

2. Programmes

119. A summary of the different programmes available to all recipients, with the exception of the monitoring programme for orphan families, is as follows:

(a) Kindergarten programmes

These cater for fostered orphans and their siblings under six years of age, as well as for children from poor families and some children from middle-income families, who pay for any extras provided by the kindergarten (food, toys, etc.). These kindergartens offer a curriculum which includes classes in memorizing short chapters of the Quran, elementary Arabic, recreational excursions, free play and video screenings.

(b) Educational programmes

These programmes include classes in memorizing the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, public morals and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad. They are offered to orphans, widows and poor families at centres or learning camps for orphans.

(c) Learning programmes

These consist of extra classes in academic subjects for orphans and literacy classes for widows and mothers of poor families.

(d) Income development programmes

These consist of training in a variety of skills with a view to enabling widows and orphans to acquire other means of earning an income. Widows, for example, may take courses in tailoring,

dressmaking and handicrafts, orphans may attend vocational training centres and families may be supplied with production facilities to the extent permitted by the maintenance allowance.

(e) Monitoring programmes

These programmes cater for orphans and their families and entail:

(i) General monitoring: Families receive home visits aimed at identifying and resolving their problems and monitoring the impact of the programmes offered at the social welfare centres on all the individuals in the family of the foster orphan;

(ii) Academic monitoring: This is carried out in conjunction with the schools attended by orphans with a view to monitoring the academic standard and general behaviour of the orphans and encouraging the teachers to carry out such monitoring;

(iii) Health monitoring: This is aimed at monitoring the health of orphan families, performing the necessary health checks and dispensing treatment.

C. Separation from parents
(art. 9)

120. The measures of a legislative nature contained in chapter IV of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991, which relates to custody, set forth the legal safeguards preventing separation of the child from his or her parents, except where such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Even when separation is necessary or unavoidable, the competent court, in this case the personal status court, makes the decision as to the child’s place of residence in accordance with his or her interest. Adopted from Sudanese custom, this is now an established legal principle. Under the laws regulating court proceedings, all parties to a lawsuit, including children, are given every opportunity to make their views known.

121. The measures adopted to ensure the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis are founded on Sudanese traditions and values. They are also found in Sudanese legal precedents based on the Shariah and customary law, which are the sources of legislation in cases where no explicit provisions exist. The judgements rendered in these precedents take into account the views of the child, except if they are contrary to his or her best interests, as affirmed by the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991. As for Christians, their affairs are settled by application of the laws particular to them.

122. The Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 (annexed hereto) stipulates the arrangements for the child in cases where the parents separate. The parent with custody may not prevent the other from visiting the child or enquiring about his or her condition (article 109). The parent without custody has the right to receive visits from the child, if requested, unless the courts decide otherwise in accordance with the best interests of the child (article 123). Sudanese law punishes any non-compliance with custody orders. If parents commit acts of violence against a child or if their normal behaviour places the child at physical, moral or psychological risk, they lose legal guardianship and the child is removed from their care, in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991. In this case, the court may entrust the care and maintenance of the child to a person whom it deems fit for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the law.

123. It is difficult to supply any further detailed information on this subject. It should be stated, however, that National Council for Child Welfare has established a child information centre and that a

database on all matters relating to the Convention on the Rights of the Child is being completed. The Sudan is highly dependent on external financial, material and technical assistance for the centre, the aim being to ensure the future availability of more accurate, detailed and comprehensive information classified on the basis of the features and criteria requested by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the criteria for the overall development of the child.

D. Family reunification
(art. 10)

124. The application of article 10 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child does not conflict with Sudanese laws, as freedom of movement and residence is guaranteed for all Sudanese and aliens alike in accordance with the provisions of the Passport, Travel and Immigration Act of 1993. This report discusses the efforts of the Sudan to reunify abducted and displaced children with their families. It also contains information on unaccompanied children and refugee children. The law provides that parents resident outside the Sudan may freely visit any children of theirs who are resident in the Sudan in a manner consistent with the rules of Sudanese legislation.

E. Illicit transfer and non-return
(art. 11)

125. On the basis of paragraph 65 of the initial report of the Sudan, submitted in September 1992, concerning the transfer of children abroad, we should like to highlight the key facts and information in regard to the children abducted by the rebel movement and transferred abroad. We should also like to emphasize the trouble, deceit, duplicity, double-dealing, prevarication and political dishonesty which the Sudan encountered and the violation of international treaties and charters which it saw take place during the process of repatriating those children to the Sudan and reunifying them with their families.

126. These children have now endured repeated tragedy for 10 years and more, ever since the start of the last rebellion in the Sudan in 1983. They were either abducted from their homes and held by the rebel movement in the remote forests of the south or sought refuge in Ethiopia after trekking long distances on foot in intolerable conditions. Some are seized in towns such as Nasir, Fashala, Bakok, Kapoeta and Torit during the course of their return to the Sudan, while others are obliged to travel to Narus on the Sudanese-Kenyan borders or seek refuge in the Kenyan town of Lokichoggio or return to Narus where they are forced to carry arms and fight in the ranks of the rebel movement.

127. The rebel movement has forced groups of children to travel to Cuba for weapons training with a view to forming the nucleus of the so-called Red Army. Some of these children have returned to Uganda, where they are traced by the rebel movement to the Sudanese refugee camps in the north of the country and forced to join its ranks. Other children, however, escaped to the Sudan to tell the tale of the suffering to which they were continuously subjected for eight years.

1. Effects of child detention

128. The abduction and detention of children by the rebel movement and their compulsory recruitment into the ranks of its Red Army has caused them serious harm, which can be summarized as follows:

(a) Children in their tens of thousands perished from hunger, thirst and disease or in attacks by wild animals during their exhausting journey, to which there was never any end;

(b) Thousands of the children forced to carry military supplies over long distances died as a result of the sheer effort involved, which was more than their energy could sustain;

(c) Tens of thousands of children thrown into battle by the rebel movement were placed in danger and many were captured in the fighting between the Government and the rebel movement in the states of South Kordofan and Kordofan and in the southern part of Blue Nile state;

(d) The detention of children by the rebel movement deprived those who survived of the most basic rights of family care and education, as well as of all the fundamental rights guaranteed by the divine religions and international instruments, including those relating to the rights of the child;

(e) The children detained by the rebel movement were forced into orphanhood, the psychological and social effects of which they continue to suffer to this day.

2. Current situation of child detainees

129. The issue of children held by the rebel movement still continues to plague society almost 10 years after the problem first began in 1984. The children abducted from their relatives can be categorized as follows:

(a) Sudanese refugee camps in Kenya

130. The reports of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the other organizations working in this field indicate that there are about 20,000 unaccompanied children in Kakuma camp in northern Kenya.

(b) Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda

131. The reports indicate that there are large groups of unaccompanied children in the following camps:

− Ogudebe camp;
− Koboko camp;
− Mbokolo camp.

(c) Sudanese refugee camps in Zaire

132. The information available indicates that there are large groups of unaccompanied children in Dungu camp.

(d) Refugee children in Cuba

133. The information available indicates that there are some 4,000 unaccompanied children in Cuba. Eight years ago, these children were sent by the rebel movement to receive military training in Cuba, the intention being that they would form the nucleus of the rebel movement’s Red Army. A small number of these children returned to Uganda, which repatriated them to the Sudan. The children returning from Cuba were fully debriefed and confirmed the above-mentioned facts. They also stated that large numbers of children were still in Cuba awaiting help from the international community to enable them to return the Sudan.

(e) Children detained in the southern Sudan

134. The rebel movement continues to hold large numbers of unaccompanied children in some areas of southern Sudan. These children are constantly brain-washed and also undergo regular military training. Balatoka, Narus and Mayot are examples of places where children are being held.

(f) Children fighting in the ranks of the Red Army

135. The situation of this group is the worst and most dangerous of any to which children detained by the rebel movement are subjected. The precise locations and numbers of these children are not known. It is certain, however, that the rebel army includes substantial numbers of children and that their detention and recruitment to the ranks of the rebel army are continuing uninterrupted. Recently available information indicates that the rebel movement has been actively abducting and recruiting children in some areas of southern Sudan. This information confirms that the rebel movement has no qualms about punishing families who refrain from handing over their children by imposing heavy fines, seizing their cattle or threatening to set fire to the villages where they live.

3. Position of international organizations concerning the question of detained children

(a) UNHCR

136. The Government of the Sudan has communicated with UNHCR headquarters in Geneva and with its offices in Khartoum, Nairobi and Kampala on numerous occasions. Its efforts, however, have failed to motivate UNHCR to assume a positive role in resolving the problem of detained children. In particular, it has done little to protect the children detained in the refugee camps in neighbouring countries, especially Kenya and Uganda, a subject which will be discussed in detail in a later paragraph.

(b) UNICEF – Operation Lifeline Sudan

137. The United Nations established Operation Lifeline Sudan under the supervision of UNICEF to deal with the problems of citizens adversely affected by the war in the Sudan. Despite the obvious difficulty of the children detained in southern Sudan and the fact that they are detained in locations within the mandate of UNICEF-Operation Lifeline Sudan, none of the required effort has been made to deal with the problem. In many instances, UNICEF did no more than simply monitor events, whereas it should have made serious efforts to bring the problem to an end, especially since it is chiefly in charge of Operation Lifeline Sudan in the places under rebel control.

(c) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

138. ICRC is engaged in searching for missing persons in the areas of armed conflict, which entails the following:

− Identification of missing persons;
− Exchange of correspondence;
− Family reunification.

ICRC conspicuously neglected to carry out the role within its mandate in regard to the issue of child detainees. It has shown only limited cooperation with the Government of the Sudan, whereas it should have stepped up it efforts to resolve the problem of child detainees.

(d) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

139. Some NGOs, such as Action against Hunger (France) and Save the Children (Sweden), have endeavoured to provide assistance to the children being held in detention camps in Ethiopian territory (Gambella) and in towns such as Fashala, Nasir and Mayot. Although the provision of assistance to these children in any location is undoubtedly merits appreciation, some children’s organizations have very noticeably refrained from providing the Sudanese authorities with the information in their possession, which, if made available, may assist in the formulation of plans and remedies aimed at ending the children’s misfortune.

(e) Abduction of children from Sudanese refugee camps

140. Those concerned with the question of child detainees are following with increasing concern the abduction of children from the Sudanese refugee camps in neighbouring countries. In fact, the transfer of Sudanese children to neighbouring countries has failed to provide them with safe refuge, as the rebel movement has persistently tracked them down in the Sudanese refugee camps, from where it has abducted them for recruitment into the ranks of its Red Army and forced them to take part in military action. It is reported that the operations to abduct children from refugee camps have never ceased. On the contrary, they are occasionally stepped up on the basis of the military situation in southern Sudan. The rebel movement apparently treats the Sudanese refugee camps as a reserve camp of fighters from which it takes both men and children alike to put into the killing fields. Given the recurrence of this phenomenon in recent years, it is essential to pinpoint examples, some of which are cited below.

141. Some 5,000 children were abducted from the Sudanese refugee camps in Kenya at the beginning of 1992. Immediately thereafter, the national committee assigned to deal with the issue of abducted children in the Sudan wrote to UNHCR, which, in a reply dated 19 June 1992, asserted that all the children were enjoying care and protection in the refugee camps in Lokichoggio in northern Kenya and that arrangements to move them to safe camps deep inside Kenyan territory were proceeding smoothly. Uncomforted by this news, the committee treated the UNHCR statements with the utmost caution. It then received firm information indicating that approximately 5,000 Sudanese children had been smuggled out of the refugee camps in Kenya to be returned once more to Sudanese territory to take part in the aggressive military operations of the rebel movement, in which regard their position was identical to that of the children who took part in the invasion of South Darfur.

142. Information received from Uganda indicates that children are regularly abducted from the Sudanese refugee camps in northern Uganda and forced to go to the training camps run by the rebel movement near the Sudanese borders.

143. Reports from Zaire say that children in the Sudanese refugee camps in northern Zaire are also regularly abducted for recruitment into the rebel movement.

144. Local and international news agencies have recently reported the abduction of large numbers of children from the Kakuma camp for Sudanese refugees in northern Kenya, where there are about 20,000 unaccompanied children.

145. Accountability for the continuing abduction of children from the Sudanese refugee camps in neighbouring countries undoubtedly lies with UNHCR, as it has proved incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities, spelt out in its charter, to protect refugees.

146. This was stated in the response of the rebel Richard Molla aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on 15 August 1992, in which he held UNHCR responsible for transferring children

from Ethiopia to Fashala when it was in rebel hands and then from Fashala, when it was freed, to Kenya. UNHCR then abandoned them again once they became refugees for which it had responsibility.

147. Following the above review of the problem of children who are either detainees, refugees or recruited as soldiers in the areas where military operations are taking place, the relevant points can be summarized as follows:

(a) These children are Sudanese for whom the Government of the Sudan is responsible;

(b) These children are in a special situation which requires special treatment;

(c) Bearing in mind their immaturity, these children should be repatriated and reunified with their families.

F. Recovery of maintenance for the child
(art. 27, para. 4)

148. Article 81 of the Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 provides for child maintenance and the rules which apply. Minors who have no assets must be maintained by their father. A female child must be maintained until she marries, whereas a male child must be maintained only until he reaches the age at which his peers are capable of earning a living, unless he is a student, in which case he must continue to receive maintenance for as long as he continues to pursue his studies with success. Measures adopted to ensure respect for non-discrimination, the best interests of the child and the right to life, survival and development are dealt with elsewhere in this report.

G. Children deprived of their family environment
(art. 20)

149. The Personal Status of Muslims Act of 1991 regulates alternative care for the child who is temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment or who, in his or her best interests, is not permitted to remain in that environment. Chapter IV provides for custody, which entails the maintenance, education, upbringing and care of the child in a manner consistent with the rights of the guardian and the interests of the minor. It specifies the persons who may take custody, the conditions which those persons must satisfy and all matters relating to the child concerned. The question of children whose parents are unknown and the means of dealing with such children are governed by the Child Welfare Act of 1971, which stipulates that social workers must be appointed to undertake all the procedures in their regard and find an appropriate and competent person to care for them. The carer must share the same religion as the child.

150. The law requires that the carer must care for the child humanely and love the child as his own. He must also provide the child with suitable accommodation, food, clothing, medical care and education. The Act further stipulates that the child is regarded as part of the carer’s family from every point of view and that the Muslim child does not have the right to inherit from or make bequests to his carer, a provision which is not construed as preventing the carer from leaving a part of his estate to the child in his will.

151. Children who remain in care institutions are provided with all the basic elements needed for a decent lifestyle. At the state level, the Ministry of Cultural and Social Affairs runs institutions which take in children of unknown parents, to whom the same law applies. Supervised and monitored by the competent government agencies, a number of voluntary organizations and NGOs, such as the Sudanese

Society for Children’s Villages, also offer shelter to children who are orphaned or deprived of or separated from their families.

152. Major obstacles include the inadequacy of the budgets allocated to care institutions, the lack of trained personnel and the increasing numbers of disabled persons. The targets set for the future are to set up investment projects in order to finance care institutions and to attract funding from solidarity and social welfare funds and from national, regional and international charitable bodies and organizations in order to ensure that these institutions fulfil their role of caring for such children and offer them a decent lifestyle.

H. Adoption
(art. 21)

153. Sudanese legislative enactments, laws and customs specify the procedures for and effects of kafalah of Islamic law in order to ensure that the child cared for under the kafalah system is protected from ill-treatment and exploitation. Islamic law prohibits adoption under any circumstance. It does, however, encourage the kafalah system of caring for children, as explained in the above paragraph. Children cared for under that system do not have the right to inherit, although bequests may be made to them. As for Christians, the adopted child enjoys all the rights and duties stipulated in that connection in their own religious law. Further details on this subject are found in paragraph 62 of the Sudan’s initial report.

I. Periodic review of placement
(art. 25)

154. Sudanese legislative enactments regulate the periodic review of placement in accordance with the Child Welfare Act of 1981 and the Juvenile Welfare Act of 1983, as well as the health laws and the laws and regulations on prisons and on public and private hospitals with a view to ensuring the child’s care, protection and treatment. In some cases, the periodic review is subject to legal monitoring. Information on this subject is contained in paragraph 68 of the initial report of the Sudan.

J. Abuse and neglect (art. 19), including physical and psychological recovery
and social reintegration (art. 39)

155. Sudanese legislative enactments, including chapter XIV of the Criminal Code of 1991, ensure that children are protected against ill-treatment, violence, harm and deprivation. They also include measures offering care, reform and supervision for child offenders. Mild flogging is stipulated essentially for the purpose of reforming, educating and disciplining children at this stage of their lives as an alternative to sending them to social care institutions or prison. The Juvenile Welfare Act also contains provisions and measures for the recovery and reintegration of child delinquents and vagrants. For that purpose, a delinquent means a child of not less than 10 and not more than 18 years of age who commits an act contrary to the provisions of any criminal law and a vagrant means a child vulnerable to delinquency who is usually either homeless or unable to specify his place of residence, state who is the person responsible for him or provide adequate information about himself and who sleeps on the streets or is unemployed or engages in begging and is without a family provider or has escaped from the control of his parents or carer.

156. Arrangements for delinquents are made in accordance with the provisions of the law through the competent court, which may order measures of reform and send the delinquent to a correctional home for a period of not more than five years in order to provide supervision, care, training, appropriate recovery and all physical, medical and mental needs. Arrangements for the reform of vagrant children are made by

the court, which may hand the child over to one or both parents or to the child’s legal guardian or to the person responsible for the child’s care. Alternatively, it may entrust the child to a charitable society catering to young persons or to a care institution or it may put the child on probation on the basis of a social report compiled by the competent authorities. In addition, the Public Education Act of 1992 and the Public Health Act of 1975 include measures for review aimed at positively improving the care, protection and treatment of the child and eliminating all violence and cruelty. It should be stated that the Ministry of Justice conducted an earlier review of all child-related laws in the Sudan in order to harmonize them with the provisions of the Convention. In this respect, the Government carried out a ground-breaking experiment to rehabilitate vagrant children, reunify them with their families and provide economic support for the families by supplying them with the means of production to guarantee them a decent livelihood.

157. The State has adopted various administrative measures in connection with the family environment, some of which are mentioned elsewhere in this report. In addition, important political decisions and ministerial ordinances have been adopted on this same subject, including:

(a) Ministerial Ordinance No. 11 of 1993 forming a council to coordinate projects for productive families and the environmental industries, issued by the Minister of Social Planning;

(b) Ministerial Ordinance No. 18 forming a council to oversee the care of orphans under the kafalah system and care for widows, also issued by the Minister of Planning;

(c) Republican Decree No. 26 of 1994 forming the National Council for Clothing Provision, issued by the President of the Republic;

(d) Ministerial Ordinance No. 18 of 1994 forming the Communal Marriage Council, which is responsible for formulating policies, plans and programmes to facilitate marriage and combat the social difficulties in its way, as well as plans for fund-raising and investment for that purpose. It is also responsible for elaborating the rules and principles for providing assistance to those entering into marriage and for seeking the best means of implementing these policies in the states and provinces.

158. In addition to the information contained in paragraph 26 of the Sudan’s initial report of 1993, details of the progress achieved in the field of care for vagrant children are as follows:

The difficult circumstances in which vagrant children live demands special attention and care, a topic which has been discussed at length. The Sudanese experience in caring for such children has established that the family and the community offer the best form of care and that institutional care should be used only as a last resort, since, regardless of the attention devoted to care institutions and irrespective of their resources and professional capabilities, they can never compensate for the love of a family and the affection of a mother and father. Sudanese society therefore strives to mend the suffering of vagrant children by offering social facilities for their care and protection that also play a role in safeguarding the heritage of the nation and ensuring that it is perpetuated for generations. In order to achieve these goals, it is vital to strengthen the capabilities, resources and status of the family so that it is able to pursue its roles at home and in the community.

159. The main traits of the families of vagrant children are as follows:

− The overwhelming majority of them are young, 85 per cent of their members being under 40 years of age, and most migrated to towns during the 1980s;

− Males are in the large majority in vagrant families, accounting for 64 per cent of their members as opposed to females, this being a particularly distinctive feature of migrant or displaced families;

− The high rate of dependency in these families forces some children to enter the labour market or become professional vagrants;

− Another distinctive feature of these families is their size, each family having an average of six children;

− These families typically consist of many members who are lacking in the skills and expertise demanded by the nature of the employment in urban areas.

Measures to tackle vagrancy

160. With a view to resolving the problem of vagrancy, a decision was taken to reduce the period of time spent in rehabilitation and in vocational training institutions and to use those institutions to meet the needs of children who cannot be returned to their families. It is essential to trigger the role of social institutions in the different towns and states in monitoring children to ensure that they settle in well with their families after reunification. It is also essential to implement productive projects of a communal nature in preference to those of an individual nature and develop the exiled communities by strengthening education and health services, building the capacities of vulnerable families, promoting and mobilizing the energies of local communities and raising their awareness in order to ensure that they fulfil their duties in caring for their children.

Rehabilitation of vagrant children

161. The rehabilitation of vagrant children is the responsibility of the State, whereas the responsibility for implementing the programmes concerned is shouldered by voluntary associations and national organizations, which are assisted by the United Nations and donor organizations under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Planning in accordance with the strategies and policies of the State. This activity is aimed at shaping the behaviour of children, reforming their inborn character and enabling them to live in harmony with their families.

The Federation of Societies

162. A federation of the societies involved in the care and rehabilitation of vagrants was established with a view to ensuring that their activities are coordinated and carried out in a scientific manner. The societies belonging to the federation are essentially those working mainly in this field, since they already enjoyed close ties.

163. The Federation of Societies for the Care and Rehabilitation of Vagrants (UNICEF), which includes the African Maternal and Child Welfare Society, the Friends of Children Society (Amal), the Sabah Society, the Saint Mansur Society and the Popular Sudanese Committee for Relief and Reconstruction, provides services for children at the reception centre in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Planning, the Ministry of Social and Cultural Affairs (Khartoum state) and the relevant government bodies. The first group taken in by the centre, which has estimated capacity of 1,000, consisted of 200 children from the Hijayr camp. The children remain at the centre for a maximum period of six months for the purpose of social and psychological recovery that is intended to free them from the street life and pave the way for a natural return to their families.

164. The first group of vagrant children was taken in on 23 February 1997. The children were transferred from Hijayr Abu Dum camp, situated north of Omdurman, to the centre belonging to the African Maternal and Child Welfare Society. The group consisted of 200 children, as illustrated in the following table:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning.

The centre also took in a second group consisting mainly of street children, whose movement was as follows:

The third and final group of 144 children was brought from Hijayr on 10 June 1997 and its movement was as follows:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning.

The overall intake of vagrant children amounted to 438, as illustrated in the following table showing the movement of children between 23 February and 10 July 1997:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning, 1997.

The following table shows the daily activities at the centre:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning, 1997.

The vagrant children accommodated clearly suffer from health problems, as shown in the medical report. The following table illustrates the illnesses prevalent among vagrant children:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning.


The following team of medical personnel has been provided to work at the reception centre:


Paediatricians 1
Medical assistants 1
Nutritional officers 2
Drivers 1
General practitioners 2
Project coordinators 1
Social workers 6
Nurses 2

The following table shows the medication supplied:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning, 1997.

The table below shows the donor contributions to the centre:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning, 1997.

The table below outlines the budget of the centre and the donor committee:

Source: Ministry of Social Planning, 1997.


165. Paragraph 33 of the addendum to the initial report of the Sudan (CRC/C/3/Add.20) referred to the future plan in this connection and efforts are still continuing to implement the objectives of this plan.

166. In brief, the difficulties encountered concern the funding of such programmes and the lack of humanitarian assistance directed to the country. Material and technical support is needed from the international community if the social reintegration of these children is to become a national priority.

VI. BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
(arts. 6; 18, para. 3; 23; 24; 26; 27, paras. 1-3)

A. Disabled children (art. 23)

167. The attention devoted to disabled children by the State began in 1970 in the form of social welfare activities. Numerous societies were established for disabled persons with hearing, visual, physical or mental impairments, including:

(a) The Society for the Hearing and Speech Impaired;
(b) Al-Nur Society;
(c) The Sakina Society for the Physically and Mentally Disabled;
(d) The Sabah Society;
(e) The Amal Society.

168. These societies were formed in the capital and later established branches in the states, as in the case of the Amal Society, which moved into the states of Gezira, North Kordofan, River Nile and Bahr al-Jabal. In 1982, the State began to provide health care for disabled children in cooperation with the British Embassy, the University of Khartoum and Suba University Hospital, where the Cheshire Institute for Disabled Children was established to provide medical care for physically and mentally disabled children. Paediatricians are in attendance weekly to offer health and medical care and Suba University Hospital carries out operations on children with poliomyelitis.

169. Some voluntary organizations, such as the Sakina Society, also began to open health clinics for disabled children and keep records on every child. The State undoubtedly helped by setting up a factory to make prosthetic limbs for disabled children and by working for the social, educational, vocational and physical rehabilitation of disabled children with a view to their social reintegration. A special department was created in the Ministry of Social Planning to cater for disabled persons, in accordance with the comprehensive national strategy. This department conducted a study on disabled children in the relevant centres and institutions, the findings of which were as follows:

Number of disabled children 90 248
Males 52 906 58.6 per cent
Females 37 342 41.4 per cent
In urban areas 27 587 30.6 per cent
In rural areas 62 661 69.4 per cent

The breakdown by disability is as follows:

Physical 38 390 42.5 per cent
Hearing and speech impaired 20 749 23 per cent
Blind 7 233 8.1 per cent
Multiple disability 3 175 3.5 per cent
Mental 13 069 14.5 per cent
Other (psychiatric and genetic) 7 208 8 per cent
Unspecified 442 0.4 per cent

170. The number of disabled children in Khartoum state amounted to 12,297, of whom 7,057, or 42.6 per cent, were males. The number of disabled children successfully rehabilitated in Khartoum state amounted to only 2,682, or 31.8 per cent, which is naturally attributable to the high cost of educating a disabled child, the small number of institutions and centres catering to disabled children and the inability

to start up extra classes in the existing institutions. In 1996, there were 620 children, or 23.5 per cent, in the institutions offering rehabilitation in Khartoum state and the number of children previously rehabilitated stood at 2,051, or 76.5 per cent. Of the 11 institutions in Khartoum state, two are government-run and the remainder are voluntary institutions or centres run by societies or individuals.

The number of disabled children in institutions offering rehabilitation in Khartoum state is as follows, by disability and age:

It should be pointed out that physically disabled children are not shown in the table, as there were none attending the institutions concerned owing to the fact that they are mainstreamed into regular schools.

171. The number of personnel working with disabled persons in these centres is extremely small, amounting to a total of 91. Despite the scarcity of resources, however, comprehensive services are provided within the centres, as follows:

Type of service Number Percentage

1. Rehabilitation and education 11 23.4
2. Vocational training 1 2.1
3. Psychological counselling 11 23.4
4. Family training 5 12.9
5. Financial assistance - -
6. Protection services 7 14.9
7. Early intervention 5 10.6
8. Employment 1 2.1
9. Transport 5 10.6
Total 47 100

172. Despite the efforts of the Government and voluntary organizations, the following difficulties are encountered in regard to health care for disabled persons:

− The activities of the organizations concerned do not extend to other states;

− Accurate statistics and data on disabled persons are unavailable;

− The different pieces of equipment and apparatus for disabled children are unavailable;

− Transport is unavailable and the curricula, training and information are inadequate;

− The cost of prosthetic limbs is extremely high.

173. In order to reduce the incidence of disability, the State has endeavoured to:

− Ensure the success of expanded immunization programmes, particularly those aimed at eradicating poliomyelitis in children;

− Implement a project to supplement table salt with iodine.

174. The progress achieved in prenatal, perinatal and post-natal services with a view to forestalling any potential causes of disability in the child during these stages is illustrated in tables 9-1, 9-2, and 101, 10-2 and 10-3 concerning disabled children.

B. Health and health services
(article 24)

1. Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the field of health care

175. The Sudan began to apply numerous primary health care policies early on and has a exceptional body of health personnel, such as medical assistants, who, together with village midwives, are mainly responsible for providing rural health services, as has been the case since pre-independence days.

176. Following the Alma Ata Conference in 1978, the State made an undertaking to adopt policies focusing on primary health care in order to achieve health for all. It consequently began to establish administrative bodies and provide resources in the form of personnel, personnel training and health units. The assistance received from United Nations agencies at that time had a great impact on the implementation of primary health care programmes, which initially achieved good results until 1990, when international support for these programmes began visibly to diminish, a factor which has hitherto continued to have major implications by disrupting the flow of achievement of the desired results and set targets.

177. It is should be stated that the impressive results recently attained in the field of primary health care and immunization in particular were due to the valuable support provided by the Government, despite difficult economic and social circumstances and the lack of foreign aid from various organizations, and to the effort of those working in that field.

178. In view of the above circumstances, the objectives of the primary health care programmes designed to reduce morbidity and mortality are still far from attainment, taking into account the spread of epidemics and water-borne diseases such as malaria (see the table below), which affects many inhabitants and kills enormous numbers of children, and the effects of the ruinous war on the situation of children. Children are thus deprived of their basic health, educational and social rights, as well as their rights to survival and development, particularly bearing in mind the geographical location and physical features of the Sudan, which is frequently stricken by drought and desertification or by torrential floods, its extensive surface area and the ensuing communication difficulties. Despite the obstacles mentioned, however, the State has taken measures to address these challenges by decentralizing and ensuring the fair distribution of resources in order to lower the administrative profile and consequently transfer the authority for development planning, including health planning, to the local government areas, which, being the geographical unit for the health district, can provide and train personnel. With input from the public, a health district policy was also outlined to ensure the integration of health services with the other relevant services. By1996, there were 53 health districts and efforts are now under way to form health districts in all the local government areas in every state, which inevitably requires considerable support from all

authorities. The Ministry of Health also adopted a project to integrate treatment of the five child-killer diseases, namely malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory disease, malnutrition and measles.

179. In order to promote overall development and thus enable the delivery of health care services to all, the State embarked on the construction of various interstate roads, such as the Western Salvation Highway and the Northern Challenge Highway, the aim being to ensure that development encompasses the whole country, including children.

180. A major enhancement has been the strengthening of the radio and television broadcasting network, as a result of which all citizens have access to information, including information on health and on maternal and child health in particular.

181. The overall strategy for development includes a health strategy aimed at providing universal access to primary health care and according priority to child and maternal care, a priority to which the State is committed at the highest levels. It should be pointed out that several amendments have been made to the health laws to accompany achievement of the targets set in the fields of primary health care and the rights of the child (see the laws annexed hereto). Moreover, the Khartoum Peace Agreement brought an end to the war which had violated all the fundamental rights of the child stipulated in articles 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 24, 27 and 28 of the Convention.

2. Overall demographic and health indicators

182. The information below was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Health Information Centre, the Sudanese Survey of Maternal and Child Health, the 1993 Arab Project for the Advancement of Children and “The State of the World’s Children” (UNICEF, 1997).

Number of children (in millions)

Under 18 years of age Under five years of age
14.2 4.7
41.6 per cent 13.3 per cent

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

Annual population growth rate (percentage)

1995 2.9

Source: Central Office of Statistics.

Crude mortality rate per thousand Crude birth rate per thousand

1995 13 1995 29

Source: Central Office of Statistics.

Percentage of urban population Annual increase in urban population

1995 25 1965-1980 5.6

1980-1995 4.8

Mortality rate per thousand among infants under one year of age

1960* 170

1993** 110

1995* 69.5

* Source: “The State of the World’s Children” (UNICEF, 1997), the Sudanese Survey of Maternal and Child Health and the Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993. For further details, see table 2 annexed hereto.
** Source: Population census of 1993, Central Office of Statistics.

Under-fives mortality rate per thousand

1960 292

1995 112.6

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

− It should also be stated that infant and child mortality rates are extremely high in states such as Darfur and those in eastern Sudan.

− The annual number of births is 1,099,000.

− The annual number of deaths among the under-fives is 126,000.

Percentage of births supervised by qualified personnel

1990-1996 85

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

− Maternal deaths during pregnancy and birth amount to 379 per 100,000 (Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993);

− The pregnancy rate in the Sudan is 40 per cent, or in other words, about one million pregnant women every year;

− Married women and mothers account for approximately 20 per cent of every 100,000 inhabitants, or in other words, about 5 million.

Overall fertility rate

1980 6.5
1995 4.5

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

Percentage of contraceptive use

1960-1997 9.9

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

Percentage of pregnant women not immunized against tetanus

1990-1996 65
One dose 18
Two doses 10

Source: Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.

Percentage of the population with access to clean water

Urban areas Rural areas

1993 60 20

1996 84 41

Percentage of children fully immunized at the age of one year

1992-1995 Tuberculosis Triple vaccine Poliomyelitis Measles

88 76 77 74

The 10 main causes of deaths in children (0-5 years) admitted to hospital in 1989

No. Cause of death Number of deaths Annual percentage

1. Diarrhoea 743 24
2. Pneumonia 473 15
3. Malaria 367 12
4. Malnutrition 299 10
5. Meningitis 157 5
6. Anaemia 144 4
7. Other respiratory diseases 104 3
8. Rheumatic fever 62 2
9. Cardiac failure 60 2
10. Non-specific symptoms 46 1
Total deaths from disease 2 455 80
Other deaths 611 20
Overall deaths in the category 3 066

Source: Federal Ministry of Health - National Centre for Health Information.

The 10 main causes of deaths among children (0-5 years) admitted to hospital in 1993

No. Cause of death Number of deaths Annual percentage
1. Diarrhoea 777 26
2. Malaria 575 20
3. Pneumonia 480 16
4. Malnutrition 366 12
5. Dehydration 128 4.4
6. Anaemia 100 3.4
7. Meningitis 90 3
8. Cardiac failure 58 2
9. Typhoid 43 1.4
10. Poor blood circulation 41 1.4
Total deaths from disease 2 568 88
Other deaths 340 12

Overall deaths in the category 2 908
Source: Federal Ministry of Health - National Centre for Health Information.

The 10 main causes of death among children (0-5 years) admitted to hospital in 1995

Disease Cases

Malaria 777

Pneumonia 542
Diarrhoea 377
Blood poisoning 306
Dehydration 294
Malnutrition 224
Anaemia 148
Meningitis 102
Cardiac disease 84
Other respiratory diseases 51

Total 2 905

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

The 10 main causes of hospital admission among children aged 0-5 years in 1995

Cause Cases
Malaria 35 459
Pneumonia 22 654
Diarrhoea 8 910
Malnutrition 3 134
Anaemia 2 509
Other respiratory diseases 2 178
Dehydration 1 914
Abcess 1 292
Accident and injury 967
Eye disease 877

Total 89 925

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

3. Measures adopted to implement article 24 of the Convention

183. Children have the right to the highest standard of health and medical care and the State is particularly obliged to provide primary health care and protection, spread health awareness and reduce child mortality rates.

(a) Medical care of the child

184. The State has made commendable efforts in this respect by promoting and developing all medical resources in the form of health facilities, personnel and medication. In so doing, it has given fair and equal priority to rural children, the vast majority of whom are vulnerable to disease, a matter which will be discussed in detail.

(b) Health facilities

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information)

185. The combined efforts of the State and the public have had an impact on the development of various health facilities, with emphasis on those dedicated to mothers and children, especially in rural areas, as the following tables clearly illustrate. Table 3 illustrates material and human resources in 1992 and 1995-1996. The number of health facilities generally increased, as follows:

1992 1996

Hospitals 216 253
Beds 20 135 22 444
Dispensaries 1 271 1 478
Clinics 1 285 1 558
Health units 3 115 2 916

Health facilities in the Sudan (1992-1996)

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Hospitals 216 216 228 240 235
Beds 20 135 20 435 21 024 21 827 22 444
Health centres 426 470 477 521 571
Dispensaries 1 271 1 344 1 346 1 400 1 478
Clinics 1 285 1 317 1 388 1 412 1 558
Primary health care
units 3 115 3 012 3 013 3 007 2 916

The annual increase in the number of hospitals, beds, health centres, dispensaries and clinics can be noted.

186. The gradual increase over the years in the number of hospitals, beds, health centres, dispensaries and clinics is clear. The evident fall in the number of primary health care units, on the other hand, is due to the fact that some were upgraded to clinics or dispensaries.

The following table shows the rate of increase in the number of beds per 100,000 inhabitants between 1992 and 1996.

1992 1996

Beds 7.6 8.5

The following table also shows the type of hospital and type of services available:

Teaching hospitals Public hospitals
Consultants Specialist Total Consultants Specialist General Total
fields fields

20 16 36 37 7 138 253


A careful analysis of the material and human resources illustrated in tables 3, 4 and 5, together with the information on the health facilities available for mothers and children, shows that these facilities have progressively increased and are evenly distributed throughout the rural and urban areas of each state, thus affirming the success of the policy to decentralize and seek the fair distribution of resources.

187. The appalling decline in these facilities is also noticeable in the southern states, where the war has destroyed the entire infrastructure. Children are consequently denied their fundamental rights, which can be realized only with peace and through increased local and foreign efforts aimed at reconstructing and renovating such facilities.

(c) Health education institutions and health personnel

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health and National Office for Health Information)

188. The steady growth is an inevitable result of the development of a number of health education institutions (see table 6 on material and human resources). In the context of the revolution in education now taking place throughout the country, various medical schools and colleges for other health personnel have been established, along with the National Sudanese Council for Specialist Medicine. In addition, numerous specialisms are already taught in the Universities of Khartoum and Gezira. It should be pointed out that substantial numbers of doctors and specialists returned after studying abroad. The number of health personnel increased as follows:

1992 1996

Consultants 578 609
Registrars 166 184
General practitioners 1 189 991
Housemen 281 449
Dentists 190 205
Total number of doctors 2 354 2 438
Pharmacists 228 290
Medical assistants 4 745 5 247
Technicians 1 400 1 633
Nurses 16 354 17 182

In 1996, the ratio of health personnel to inhabitants was one doctor for every 100,000 inhabitants.

Category Consultant Dentist All doctors

Number 609 205 2 438
Ratio 0.2 0.1 0.9

Ratio of medical and assistant health personnel

Category Technicians Medical assistants Health inspectors Nurses
and officers

Number 1 529 4 918 250 14 211
Average 0.7 2.2 0.1 6.4

189. It should be pointed out here that there is a close link between children’s health and an increase in relevant personnel, such as nurses, village midwives, trained midwives, health visitors, medical assistants, immunization technicians, gynaecologists, obstetricians and paediatricians. It is noticeable from examining the distribution of these personnel throughout the different states that there are very few of them in the southern states owing to the war (see tables 3, 4 and 5).

(d) Essential medicines

190. According to the fourth national list of medicine requirements for 1995, there were 454 essential medicines, excluding vaccines. The State has adopted a national policy on essential medicines, the focus of which is to cover the needs of citizens at the lowest cost. In 1996, a project was launched to provide free medical treatment in the accident departments of government hospitals, in which context 73 types of medicine were earmarked for availability free of charge in emergency cases.

191. In order to meet the need for medicine at reasonable prices, the State took the following steps:

(a) The Pharmaceuticals, Toxins, Cosmetics and Medical Supplies Act of 1997 was promulgated;

(b) The regulations concerning the registration of pharmaceutical preparations and the principles for determining need, safety, effectiveness, quality and cost were redrafted and the number and prices of registered preparations were listed;

(c) Measures and principles in connection with the import of medicines were adopted;

(d) Binding rules for pharmaceutical establishments were issued;

(e) Regulations concerning the registration of medicinal plants and pharmaceutical preparations made from such plants were issued, together with regulations for inspection, sampling and analysis;

(f) In order to reduce the cost of medications, a system of people’s pharmacies was established under which 295 pharmacies were established by 1997, increasing to 3,000 by the year 2000;

(g) In order to ensure an adequate supply of pharmacists, several pharmacology faculties were established at various universities, producing between 40 and 150 graduates annually, in addition to those graduating from universities abroad;

(h) In this connection, the National Drug Testing and Analysis Laboratory received support in the form of the qualified personnel and equipment needed to carry out such testing and analysis.

(e) Drug manufacture

192. The country now has 15 operational drugs factories which annually produce 15 types of medicines in order to cover the national list of medicine requirements. The State has taken the initiative to waive customs duties on medicines in order to encourage the private sector to start manufacturing drugs.

(f) Private pharmacies

193. Private pharmacies supply 97 per cent of medicines through importation. The value of imported medicines rose from $4 million in 1990 to $40 million in 1997. Through banks, some states have begun to set up small enterprises and companies in order to purchase medicines in addition to those provided by the Government, in which connection the Bamako project is also being implemented throughout the Sudan.

(g) Primary health care

194. Articles 6 and 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child relate to the survival and development of the child and to the provision of primary health care, one component of which is nutrition. Article 27 also recognizes “the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development”. In that connection, the following has been achieved:

(h) Nutrition

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Nutrition)

195. The indicators for nutrition in the Sudan are as follows:

− Children with low birth weight during the period 1990-1995: 15 per cent;

− Children exclusively breastfed from birth to 30 months: 94 per cent;

− Children taking solids to supplement breast milk between the ages of six and nine months: 45 per cent;

− Children still breastfeeding between the ages of 20 and 23 months: 44 per cent;

− Children underweight (emaciation and dwarfism):

1992-1996
Underweight Emaciation Dwarfism
24 per cent 13 per cent 24 per cent

(See table 7 on nutrition)

Goitre among children between 6-10 years of age

Percentage of Darfur White Eastern Khartoum Northern Southern
families consuming Nile states states states
iodized salt
0.03 87 78 69 17 24 30

(i) Trace elements (iron deficiency)

196. Anaemia brought on by iron deficiency is one of the 10 main causes of hospital admission, as well as one of the 10 main causes of hospital deaths. Accordingly, between 1995 and 1995, in conjunction with the WHO and experts from the Diseases Control Center in Atlanta, the National Department of Nutrition conducted a study to measure the amount of haemoglobin in under-fives and their mothers, the findings of which were as follows:

Anaemia in under-fives and their mothers in nine states (1995-1996)

No. State Percentage of children with Percentage of mothers with
less than 11 grams of less than 12 grams of
haemoglobin per millilitre haemoglobin per millilitre

1. Northern (Merowe
province) 68.3 84.5
2. Khartoum 73 89.2
3. Sennar 78.9 95
4. Kassala 81.7 37.4
5. Gezira 82.9 55.6
6. North Kordofan 90.8 44.9
7. South Darfur 86.4 39.2
8. Red Sea 89.1 56.4
9. River Nile 92.1 53.1


By examining the table below, in which the figures are arranged in descending order, it can be seen that child anaemia is most prevalent in the River Nile, North Kordofan and Red Sea states, and least prevalent in Khartoum state and Northern state, while the southern states of Darfur, Gezira and Kassala are in between. As for maternal anaemia, it is most prevalent in Sennar, Khartoum and Northern states, and least prevalent in North Kordofan, South Darfur and Kassala states, with Red Sea, Gezira and River Nile states in between.

197. This geographical disparity and the disparity in the prevalence of anaemia in children and mothers requires further study with a view to identifying whether anaemia has an environmental cause, is caused by illness, intestinal worms, malnutrition or eating habits or is attributable to cultural or educational causes. Appropriate programmes can then be devised to deal with these causes and eradicate anaemia.

No. State Percentage of children State Percentage of mothers
with less than 11 grams of with less than 12 grams of
haemoglobin per millilitre haemoglobin per millilitre

1. Nile 92.1 Sennar 90.5
2. North Kordofan 90.8 Northern 84.5
3. Red Sea 89.1 Khartoum 89.2
4. South Kordofan 86.4 Red Sea 56.4
5. Gezira 82.9 Gezira 55.6
6. Kassala 81.7 River Nile 53.1
7. Sennar 78.9 North Kordofan 44.9
8. Khartoum 70.3 South Darfur 39.2
9. Northern 68.3 Kassala 37.4


(ii) Iodine deficiency

198. Studies have confirmed that illnesses resulting from iodine deficiency, particularly goitre, are common throughout every state in the Sudan. These studies produced the following findings:

Percentage of illnesses resulting from iodine deficiency, particularly goitre

Darfur sector 87
Eastern sector 13.5
Khartoum 78
Other states 17.5

In order to tackle this health problem, in 1995 the State distributed potassium iodide tablets to primary schools in South Darfur, as well as injectable iodine and tablets to the worst affected areas, thus benefiting two million people in Darfur and While Nile. Iodine was then added to well water in North Kordofan and lastly, table salt was iodized, beginning in 1995, with the aim of eradicating illnesses caused by iodine deficiency by the year 2000 in accordance with the recommendations of a world conference on the elimination of nutritional deficiencies of trace elements, including iodine, held in Canada in October 1991. In December 1995, a contract was signed to install the necessary machinery in Port Sudan, following which factories began operation and the factory workers received training in the production of iodized salt to the agreed specifications. The distribution of iodized salt to the different states has now started. Using the facilities of the Sudan Railways Corporation, an initial 150ton batch of iodized salt was supplied to Kordofan sector from the factory in Port Sudan.

199. A project is currently under way to supplement table salt with iodine in the Darfur sector, which is in the west of the country and has five million inhabitants. According to the 1993 census, there are 2,152,466 inhabitants and 12 million heads of livestock (according to the state veterinary authorities). Health problems caused by lack of iodine, such as birth defects, still births, miscarriages, mental retardation, speech impairment, low intelligence and learning difficulties in children, are remarkably common. In some parts of West Kordofan state, for instance, their incidence is as high as 95 to 99 per cent. Experts from the National Department of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and the political, legislative and health authorities in the state of South Darfur state were consequently moved to promote and support a private sector initiative by the company Baskam, which came forward to tackle this health problem on the basis that society should play a part in resolving its own health problems, which is the concept behind primary health care. The company set up a factory in the town of Nayala, installed

three salt iodization machines and staffed the factory with the necessary engineers, chemists and technicians. Training was provided for administrative and supervisory staff and production began on 6 September 1997. Each machine has a daily production capacity of 15 tons, thus amounting to 45 tons for all three machines. There are three phases to the project:

Phase 1: Iodized salt production.
Phase 2: Packaging of the salt in plastic containers.

Phase 3: Refinery and washing of salt in order to eliminate impurities and packaging of the iodized salt in small plastic bags of one kilogram or half a kilogram.

200. In cooperation with the state’s veterinary authorities, the company will supply iodized salt for animals. The company is expected to develop and increase production to cover all states and subsequently export salt to neighbouring countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic. In future, the Government also intends to develop the factory’s chemical laboratory into a quality control laboratory for food and drinking water in the western sector of the country (Source: Federal Ministry of Health, National Department of Nutrition, 1997).

(iii) Vitamin A deficiency

201. Vitamin A deficiency is a common nutritional problem throughout the Sudan, as illustrated by the percentages in the table below.

Year State Age Number Night- Clouded Dryness
blindness vision

1992 Eastern Under - 2.8 1.1 0.05
region 5 years

1989 White Nile Under - 2.8 3 -
5 years

1992 Khartoum Under 2 - -
(displaced 5 years -
persons)

1992 Kordofan Under - 1.9 0.9 -
5 years

1989 Red Sea 6 years 2001 1.1 0.7 0.05

1991 Blue Nile Under - 0.8 0.9 -
5 years

1989 North Darfur 6 years 1919 0.25 0.1 0.1


The table below shows the findings of the study conducted in 1995-1996 on the distribution of vitamin A capsules and the percentage of night-blindness in children aged 6-24 months.

No. State Percentage of vitamin A Percentage of night-
Distribution blindness

1. Northern Darfur 92.6 No information available

2. Sennar 53 0.5

3. Gezira 83.1 0.26

4. Khartoum 78 0.2

5. Kassala 110.4 0.01

6. Red Sea 54 1.2

7. White Nile 44.6 0.2

8. Upper Nile – Nasir
region 24 0.08

9. River Nile 96.1 0.36

10. Gedaref 63.2 0.15

Source: Federal Ministry of Health, National Department of Nutrition.


In general, the rates of vitamin A deficiency are remarkably high in most areas of the Sudan, which has prompted the Government to distribute vitamin A capsules as a preventive measure to children under two years of age with the aim of covering 80 per cent of children in the areas where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent. Vitamin A capsules have been distributed for such preventive purposes as follows:

− 200,000 capsules twice annually for children aged 6-24 months;
− 100,000 capsules for children aged 6-11 years;
− Capsules to be taken by nursing mothers as a preventive measure for the first six weeks after delivery.

Vitamin A capsules were also distributed to treat cases of night-blindness.

(i) General measures

202. It should be pointed out that the State has adopted general measures for nutritional health, aimed in particular at providing food and combating poverty and diseases of malnutrition, as outlined below:

(a) Increase in areas cultivated with agricultural crops
1991/92 1995/96
Sorghum 18 123 14 663
Pearl millet 6 241 8 157
Wheat 807 23 563

(b) Increase in food crops (thousands of tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Sorghum 4 042 2 450
Pearl millet 449 385
Wheat 445 527
Maize - 21
Rice - 1
Total 1 336 3 344

(c) Increase in oil seed crops (thousands of tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Sesame 97 160
Peanuts 180 714
Sunflower 11 57
Cottonseed 179 164
Total 467 1 095

(d) Pulses (thousands of tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Lentils 1 4
Beans 4 16
Broad beans 65 90
Other pulses 2 7
Total 72 117

(e) Animal production (millions)
1992/93 1995/96
All grazing livestock 58.2 125.5

(f) Milk production (tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Milk 283 900 6 885 000

(g) Poultry meat production (tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Poultry meat 22 500 31 000

(h) Egg production (tons)
1992/93 1995/96
Eggs 34 500 36 000

Source: Statistics of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development.

(i) Percentage of food in total imports

1992/93 1995/96
22 18

(j) The State contributed by supplying food to Operation Lifeline Sudan. It also used every expedient to ensure delivery of the food supply, particularly to children, in which connection it frequently overlooked violations of its sovereignty in order to ensure the flow of food to children, without distinction, in the areas concerned;

(k) A project has been implemented to subsidize the cost of workers’ food;

(l) Workers’ salaries have been supplemented with a child allowance;

(m) A target for the improvement of household food security has been set within the framework of the Government’s agricultural policies, development programmes and socio-economic programmes;

(n) Small farmers have been able to acquire agricultural facilities through social development banks;

(o) Activities and projects to raise the income of urban and rural families living in poverty have been promoted;

(p) Food centres have been established in states such as Sennar, North Kordofan, Kassala, Red Sea, White Nile, South Darfur and Gezira;

(q) In times of emergency and disaster, such food centres have been set up to distribute food, monitor the growth and development of children and provide other preventive services and treatment;

(r) Natural breast-feeding.

Source: Sudanese Survey of Maternal and Child Health; Arab Project for the Advancement of Children, 1993.


203. The State devoted attention to encouraging breast-feeding and spreading awareness of its benefits, in which context maternal and child health workers received appropriate training. A guide to supplementary feeding for children aged four months was published, together with another guide to children’s diets. Substantial time slots have been allocated to the subject of health education on both radio and television, in which connection expansion of the broadcasting networks has had an influential effect, as 96 per cent of infants up to the age of three months are now breast-fed, 45 per cent of infants aged 6-9 months are fed solids in addition to breast milk and 44 per cent of infants aged 23-24 months are still breast-fed.

(j) Immunization measures and achievements

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Immunization)

204. In the Sudan, immunization against disease began with an experimental programme in 1976. In 1980, a plan was drawn up to immunize 80 per cent of children between the ages of three months and three years in towns supplied with electricity. By the end of 1984, the plan had accomplished a success

rate of 16 per cent. A five-year plan for the years 1986-1990 was then devised to immunize 80 per cent of children under the age of one year as a global target, which was achieved. In the northern states of the Sudan, 62 per cent of all children were immunized. This rate, however, fell to 51 per cent between 1991 and 1993 as a result of declining foreign support, thus prompting the State to lend generous support to the immunization programme. The rate in all states consequently leapt to 80 per cent by the end of 1996 (see table 8 on immunization). As a result, the number of measles cases 678 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1976 to 53 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1996. The number of cases of diphtheria and whooping cough also fell.

(i) National campaigns to eradicate poliomyelitis among the under-fives in the Sudan

205. Results of the first national campaign in 1994

− First round coverage rate of 88 per cent;
− Second round coverage rate of 65 per cent.

Results of the second national campaign in 1996

− First round coverage rate of 81.67 per cent;
− Second round coverage rate of 84.2 per cent.

Results of the third national campaign in 1997

− First round coverage rate of 87 per cent;
− Second round coverage rate of 90 per cent.

Cases of poliomyelitis in children consequently fell from 252 in 1993 to 51 in 1996.

(ii) Combating tetanus in newborn infants

206. Information concerning tetanus immunization is as follows:

− All 1,562 women targeted in the province of Boram in South Darfur state were immunized in 1995;
− The first round produced a coverage rate of 84.5 per cent;
− The second round produced a coverage rate of 80.7 per cent.

(iii) General measures

207. The results of the general measures adopted are as follows:

− The number of permanent immunization centres in southern Sudan increased from three in 1993 to 35 in 1996;

− The number of immunization centres in rural areas increased from 149 in 1989 to 325 in May 1997;

− The capacity for vaccine storage increased, as eight states were supplied with eight large refrigeration chambers;

− Solar energy was used in the refrigeration chain and the number of refrigerators increased from 175 in 1990 to 325 in May 1997;

− A subsidy was given to the Parasitology Unit at the National Testing Laboratory, which was also refurbished, and the virus for child poliomyelitis was isolated;

− Between 1989 and 1997, a total of 21,066 personnel received training in the expanded immunization programme (see table 8 on immunization).

(iv) Immunization in the areas at highest risk

208. During the national immunization campaign to eradicate child poliomyelitis, a single dose of measles vaccine was also given. A coverage rate of 62 per cent was achieved among children under five years of age. Under-fives in the areas of displacement are given an additional dose of measles vaccine and children under one year have a first inoculation against measles at the age of six months and a booster injection at nine months, as a result of which the incidence of measles has declined in these areas.

209. The overall result of the measles immunization campaign was that the numbers of those contracting the disease fell from 678 per 100,000 children in 1976 to 53 per 100,000 in 1996. The interval between measles epidemics also grew, producing a noticeable transformation in the number of over-fives (aged between 5 and 12 years) contracting the disease, this being the age group at the highest risk. As measles epidemics are now concentrated in children between those ages, a further dose of the vaccine should be given at the age of five years.

(k) Family and reproductive health (arts. 6 and 24)
(Source: Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health)

210. In earlier years, the State, in conjunction with WHO and UNICEF, provided training for health personnel, expanded the base of services and the information system and improved the curriculum for maternal and child health. Between 1992 and 1993, training programmes in the field of maternal and child health were conducted in four health districts in the eastern states. A five-year plan was formulated in which the basic staffing and equipment requirements were determined with a view to extending maternal and child services countrywide and providing information on family planning, prenatal care and traditional practices harmful to mothers and children, in particular female circumcision. The plan also determined the requirements of obstetric departments in rural hospitals for the treatment of high-risk cases, emergencies involving mothers and newborn infants and miscarriages. It further specified the training needed by personnel working in maternal and child health clinics, who were provided with information on sexually transmitted diseases and their treatment.

211. It should be pointed out that the implementation of these programmes is seriously hampered by a number of difficulties, which can be summed up as follows:

(a) Unavailability of the materials and consumable items needed by fully trained midwives, such as thread, anaesthetic and iron tablets;

(b) Unavailability of the instruments, equipment and first aid items needed by many maternity hospitals and hospital maternity wards;

(c) Unavailability of outreach services for distribution of the items needed for maternal and child health to other hospitals and rural health facilities.

(l) Drinking water and sanitation

212. The Sudan has an abundance of water resources, including surface water. The capacity of the 100 or so ditches, dams and reservoirs providing these resources ranges between 50,000 and 250,000 cubic metres, in addition to which there is an estimated 900 billion cubic metres of artesian water. Nevertheless, only 35 per cent of the population has access to clean drinking water. It is a well-known fact that 90 per cent of diseases are water-borne, as in the case of malaria and Guinea-worm disease, and that 40 per cent of deaths among children under five years of age are caused by diarrhoea resulting from lack of access to water or the contamination of clean drinking water. The number of cases of diarrhoea can rise to 30 million annually, of which 35 per cent are treated with dehydration salts or with plant preparations. A child has a daily requirement of 20 litres of safe clean water, which should come from a source situated no further than one kilometre away from his or her home. According to the 1993 census, 60 per cent of urban inhabitants have a clean water supply to their homes, which is true for only 20 per cent of rural inhabitants. Further details are provided in the tables below on the basis of information obtained from the National Water Corporation. The following table shows the percentage of water consumption from different sources in 1993.

Source Northern states Southern states
Rural areas Urban areas Total Urban areas

Distribution grids 20.03 65.8 35.33 7.02
Wells (water stations) 19.62 20.25 43.93 55.16
Rivers and canals 56.12 2.25 10.06 30.01
Weirs 14.09 0.59 3.35 0.24
Ditches and ponds 4.78 7.17 3.94 5.40
Other sources 1.39 3.82 3.92 1.74
Unspecified sources 3.97 0.11 0.08 4.30
Total 100 100 100 100

The following table shows the percentage of citizens with access to means of sanitation.

Type of service Northern states Southern States
Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total
areas areas areas areas
Sewage system 0.2 2 0.8 - 0.5
Cesspools 38.5 56.9 44.7 - 22.5
Other 14.5 19.2 16.4 - 25.6
None 46.4 21.9 38.1 - 51.4
Total 100 100 100 100

In 1997, therefore, no more than 24 per cent of inhabitants had access to means of sanitation. It is also worth mentioning that, in 1996, the Sudan had 114,772 cases of Guinea-worm disease, amounting to 78 per cent of all cases worldwide, whereas two years earlier they had amounted to only 32 per cent. The daily consumption of clean drinking water is 20 litres for urban inhabitants and 8 litres for rural inhabitants. Here, it should be pointed out that it is young girls who have the task of fetching water, usually from faraway, and that they manage to obtain only one-third of the amount of water which they need.

213. The measures adopted to provide access to clean drinking water include efforts to:

− Reconstruct and overhaul water systems;

− Plan programmes to construct wells and install manual pumps with low running costs, particularly in rural areas;

− Train technicians to manufacture water equipment locally, the plan for which was half-completed in 1997, as a result of which the consumption of drinking water in urban and rural areas increased as follows:

1993 1996

Urban areas Rural areas Urban areas Rural areas

60 20 84 41

214. Similar activities were also carried out by Save the Children-UK. In urban areas, homeowners built their own means of sanitation. A small percentage of inhabitants in Khartoum use the public sewage network. At this juncture, it should be said that there are no statistics on government funding of rural sanitation projects. The limited funding available for rural areas is provided by international organizations, voluntary bodies and local organizations.

(m) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
(Source: Federal Ministry of Health, AIDS Office)

215. The State has devoted particular attention to this disease; in 1988, it formed a national committee to combat AIDS under the patronage of the President of the Republic, the membership of which includes all the competent authorities (see annexes). The committee formulated plans and strategies for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, concentrating on the following four areas:

− Raising health awareness based on guidance from the teachings of religion;

− Conducting regular field surveys to determine the number of people with HIV/AIDS;

− Requiring all health establishments to test blood from donors before it is used in order to ensure that it is virus-free;

− Adopting arrangements for the treatment of AIDS patients and HIV-carriers (for further details, see the annexes on AIDS).

At 30 June 1997, the extent of the problem was as follows:

AIDS cases between 1986 and July 1997

1986-1979 1978 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

2 2 64 122 130 184 191 201 250 221 87

For an analytical breakdown and information concerning the type and means of infection, reference should be made to table 11 on AIDS, annexed hereto. Laboratory tests were conducted on a total of 14,801 individuals, 186 of whom were found to be carrying HIV (see table 3 on AIDS, annexed hereto). It is noticeable from the following table that the disease is concentrated among young people and is virtually non-existent in children, even though there are children who carry the virus. The table forecasts the potential increase in the number of people carrying HIV (1992-1998).

Age group 1992 1998
5-14 years 1 700 10 200
15-19 years 10 300 61 800
20-49 years 91 510 200 000
Over 50 years 1 400 8 400

It can also be seen from the table that a high increase is anticipated in the number of HIV-carriers among both children and adults. In 1992, an estimated average of 14,800 children lost parents to AIDS. This figure clearly indicates that the number is likely to increase in 1998.

(n) Female circumcision
(Source: The Sudanese Society for the Elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices and
the 1993 Sudanese Project for the Promotion of Maternal and Child Health)

216. There has long been a general consensus among clerics, community leaders, lawyers and doctors that there are drawbacks to female circumcision and that it has no connection with religion. In 1979, the Babakar Badri Women’s Association was formed and thereafter made active and concerted efforts to combat this harmful traditional practice scientifically and through the media. In 1980, a government committee was also established at the Ministry of Interior in order to target female circumcision as a harmful practice to be uprooted from society. This was followed by the birth of the Sudanese Society for the Elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices in 1985 following the African Regional Conference, held in Dakar, and the World Conference to Review and Approve the Achievement of the United Nations Decade for Women, held in Nairobi. The President of the Republic signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the New York summit meeting in 1992, following which one of the basic objectives forming part of the overall national strategy was to combat female circumcision. A number of international, foreign and local voluntary organizations, as well as various federations, then joined in activities to combat this harmful social custom, which were also incorporated into the curriculum for the basic stage of education.

Measures adopted to combat female circumcision

217. Efforts to raise public awareness were intensified; each week, entire radio and television programmes were devoted to delivering scientific messages from experts with the aim of combating female circumcision. In addition:

− A film on circumcision and its harmful effects was produced;

− The theatre played a role in combating female circumcision, particularly in the rural areas of Kordofan and Darfur states, where complications from circumcision are clearly implicated in the incidence of urinary problems;

− Over 200,000 copies of various printed materials were produced between 1992 and 1997.

218. Training was provided for members of groups having a direct link with the public and with maternal and child health, such as clerics and midwives, with a view to effectively driving the message home.

219. The Sudan celebrates a national day to combat harmful traditional practices, which each year coincides with the beginning of the fourth week of September. All sectors join in conveying the message to society in the form of different activities which lay particular emphasis on the practice of female circumcision.

220. At the congress of state governors held in 1995, each wali made a commitment to open an office to combat harmful traditional practices in his state.

221. A round table on female circumcision was organized under the banner of “Language, religion, law and custom”. Participants included eminent Sudanese personalities in the fields of literature, culture and law.

222. In 1992, a countrywide survey was conducted, the findings of which were as follows:

− 80 per cent of women were in favour of female circumcision and 20 per cent were against;

− Of those in favour, 72 per cent cited reasons of custom, 16 per cent believed circumcision to be in the girl’s interest and 12 per cent believed in it on religious grounds (see the table of indicators, annexed hereto);

− In 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1997, the Netherlands Government evaluated the effect of media campaigns and other activities aimed at combating female circumcision, as did Save the Children-Sweden in 1992, as a result of which it emerged that:

• Rural inhabitants were aware of the harmful effects of the practice;

• Female circumcision and its harmful effects were frequently discussed by men, women and clerics in both urban and rural areas;

• There was a clear move away from the Pharaonic method of circumcision towards less harmful methods, although the efforts to combat the practice focused on all methods.

Further details can be found in table 12 on harmful traditional practices and in the table of indicators, annexed hereto.

(o) International support in the field of health (article 24)

223. Until 1990, international support was constantly forthcoming from various organizations and from the agencies of the United Nations. Thereafter, however, it began to decline, signalling an enormous setback for health programmes in that it delayed achievement of their objectives. This support had focused on advisory services, which increased from 3.6 per cent in 1994-1995 to 24.9 per cent in 1996-1997.

Amount of support provided by international organizations to the health sector

Organization Years Budget in dollars
WHO 1994-1995 4 417 600
1996-1997 4 783 600
UNICEF 1996 1 534 813
1997 2 544 154
United Nations Population Fund
(UNPFA) 1995-1996 4 013 126
United Nations Development Fund
(UNDP) 1990-1995 600 000
Total 17 893 293

− For the amount of support provided by voluntary organizations, see table 13-1, annexed hereto.

− For the State health budget for 1991-1996 in millions of Sudanese pounds, see table 13-2, annexed hereto.

− Bilateral agreements: All bilateral health agreements signed with other States focus on the exchange of experience and information, without any specific financial commitment. Grants and donations are normally dependent on circumstance and on donor contacts and initiatives.

− It should be pointed out that WHO provides support in the form of 44 health projects, with particular emphasis on malaria, which is a major source of concern for the State; the amount of such support stood at $407,000 obtained from the budget and a further $530,000 obtained from extra-budgetary sources.

(p) The health information system: registration of births and deaths

224. Still one of the country’s major stumbling blocks, the registration system now includes all dispensaries, health centres and hospitals. Village midwives are also required to notify births to the health centres on a regular basis. The registration rate currently stands at 40 per cent and is targeted to reach 100 per cent by the year 2000.

(i) Measures adopted for the registration of births and deaths

225. Promulgated in 1992, the Registration of Births and Deaths Act stipulates that all births and deaths throughout the country must be entered in the general register of births and deaths maintained by the director of the Central Office of Statistics, who has delegated his powers to the Under-Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, as all the vital events occur in the areas under his supervision. The Second and Fourteenth Constitutional Decrees also state that statistics should be maintained at the federal and state levels. The powers vested in the Federal Ministry of Health by the Council of Ministers in 1995 also include vital statistics as part of the mandate of both federal and state ministries of health. The registration rate for urban and rural areas, however, still stands at only 40 per cent and is particularly low in rural areas, as the registration of births is dependent on midwives, who submit monthly reports on village births to the medical director of the nearest rural hospital. On that basis, they then receive the instruments, equipment and materials which they need to perform deliveries, which are a rare occurrence in rural hospitals. The rate of registration is still low, although the requirement of a birth certificate for school admission and for the appraisal of housing applications may promote an increase. The decision to conduct the Sudanese Survey on Maternal and Child Health as part of the 1993 Arab Project for the Advancement of Children represented a significant measure, as the results serve as a foundation for sound planning to improve maternal and child health in the Sudan.

(q) Health education

226. The expansion of the radio and television network has helped to convey the message to the public at large. Various personnel have received health education training and some states have seen the establishment and essential equipment of health education units. The subject of health education has also been introduced as part of the curriculum in schools, institutes and colleges and a project to educate parents with a view to enhancing childcare and child development is currently being considered by UNICEF with a view to funding and subsequent implementation. One of the aims of the project is to increase the knowledge and skills of parents, families and teachers concerning child education and development and enable them to bring out the hidden talents of the child by means of developmental,

educational and health practices. It also aims to educate teachers, health personnel and social workers through the media, as well as alert decision-makers and executives to the substance of the subject in order to ensure that they prioritize children at every level of the relevant development programmes. For a period of two years, developmental, educational, social and cultural messages of relevance to children under eight years of age are to be transmitted on the radio and television for half an hour each week. In addition, publications containing these messages will be produced for pre-school children and school pupils to give to their parents. The messages will also explain the techniques and factors which help to stimulate a child’s intelligence, growth and development.

(r) Size of the State health budget

227. The health budget amounted to 491 million Sudanese pounds for the years 1991-1992, rising to 32.757 million Sudanese pounds in 1996 (see the budget tables annexed hereto). In 1997, the health sector’s share of the national income amounted to no more than 1 per cent. It should be pointed out here that a substantial contribution was made at the grass-roots and sectoral levels through the construction of health facilities ranging from clinics to hospitals; if monitored and evaluated, that contribution would be shown to equal State spending on the health sector.

C. Social security and childcare services and facilities
(arts. 26 and 18, para. 3)

1. Health insurance

228. The Health Insurance Act was promulgated in 1994 and provides for a system of compulsory insurance in which the amount of contribution paid by each individual is determined on the basis of monthly income. Under the Act, a worker and his family benefit from whatever number of health services they require, irrespective of family size. The initial amount of contribution is set at 10 per cent, 4 per cent of which is paid by the worker from his monthly wage and the remaining 6 per cent of which is paid by the employer. Workers pay 25 per cent towards the cost of medicines. All individual family members continue to enjoy this service until marriage in the case of girls and until 18 years of age in the case of boys, or 24 years of age if they are still at university. One of the main features of the health insurance in the Sudan is that, in conjunction with the social solidarity funds and the zakat (alms tax) fund, it covers treatment for the poor and needy and for orphans and families of martyrs, without distinction as to sex, race or religion.

229. The compulsory nature of health insurance ensures that all segments of society, including children, have access to and are assured of medical services as a right at such time as they need them, in consistency with article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child concerning the right of the child to life, survival and development. The principle of sharing the risk of illness among the greatest number of people is also achieved, as the cost of medical treatment to the individual is reduced owing to the fact that social security and solidarity are shared among high-income and low-income earners on the one hand and among those individuals who experience few illnesses and those who frequently attend to see medical personnel. A further factor in the equation is that some individuals have no family dependents but still contribute to the health insurance system.

The objectives of health insurance in the Sudan are, inter alia:

(a) To promote and develop health services in line with developments in the field of medicine;

(b) To help to reduce the financial burden on the State and subsequently channel funding into restoring the health of the environment and fighting epidemics;

(c) To invest the funds of the General Organization for Health Insurance with a view to improving health services;

(d) To attract qualified personnel to the health sector by creating an appropriate working climate, in which connection it should be pointed out that the Ministry of Finance pays a monthly sum of 160 million Sudanese pounds towards health insurance costs.

By September 1997, the health insurance system had been introduced in 14 states, namely Khartoum, Sennar, Blue Nile, Gezira, Red Sea, River Nile, White Nile, North Darfur, West Darfur, North Kordofan, West Kordofan, Kassala, Northern and Gedaref, the hope being that it will be extended to all states. Activities and the material and financial support provided are shown in tables 4-1and 14-2.

D. Standard of living
(art. 27, paras. 1-3)

(a) Measures

230. As for the measures adopted to ensure a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development, social programmes have been implemented with a view to alleviating the burden of living costs for the poor and vulnerable segments of society. Various institutions have been established under these programmes, including the Zakat Office, the Fund for the Promotion of Shariah Law, the Students’ Support Fund, the Programme for Productive Families, the Fund for Independent Traders and Small Industries and the Fund for Agriculture and the Traditional Sector, as well the Savings and Social Development Bank. A project has also been established to use alms tax (zakat) for the benefit of residential districts and villages.

231. In the past five years, pay structures have been regularly modified with the aim of achieving a social balance and protecting vulnerable groups. A number of benefits and allowances were also introduced, such as the cost-of-living allowance, the married couple’s allowance, housing benefit and cash benefit, and the Zakat Office began to play a more active role insofar as 50 per cent of the revenue from alms tax is now earmarked to provide support for the poor and needy. In addition, the Programme for Productive Families started to provide individual and communal projects with their own means of production. The Savings and Social Development Bank was established in 1995 with a view to tackling poverty and enabling small producers, craftspersons and productive families to improve their productivity. It now has 31 branches in various states and finances social development plans and projects run by local communities, which are therefore able to make plans under the programme to provide small industries and productive families with their own means of production. Such projects are additionally financed by the Zakat Fund, the State Support Fund and various federal government deposits intended specifically for rural development. The use of alms tax to benefit residential districts and villages is now an important factor in local development and in achieving fellow understanding and institutional solidarity. Although only recent, this experiment has already been quite successful, notwithstanding the obstacles which accompanied it and the fall in real incomes which occurred as a result of high inflation rates. Some families have therefore managed to achieve self-sufficiency, particularly in food.

232. It is worth pointing out that, in 1997, the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, the Zakat Office and Khartoum state together supported productive families to the tune of 7 billion Sudanese pounds (Source: Ministry of Finance and National Economy). Similar support was also earmarked for the poor,

the needy and students in every state of the Sudan. Social support included help with electricity bills for poor families, food for workers and subsidies for workers’ economic institutions provided n association with the General Federation of Sudan Workers’ Trade Unions. In the 1998 budget, the estimated social support allocation rose to 11 billion Sudanese pounds, resulting in an increase of 47 per cent in the cost-of-living subsidy for disadvantaged groups. This increase covers 20 per cent of wages.

233. The family support and protection measures to be adopted in order to ensure the right of every child to an adequate standard of living will take the form of supplying one million families with their own means of production. This will take place over the next 10 years at a rate of 1,000 productive families per year and at an annual cost of 2 billion Sudanese pounds, amounting to a total of 20 billion Sudanese pounds.

Table 2: Child and infant mortality rate over 10 years

Malaria tables
Cases of malaria and ensuing deaths during the period 1990-1995
Table 1

Year Number of cases Deaths
1990 295 505 215
1991 353 679 394
1992 281 359 503
1993 363 732 703
1994 246 154 575
1995 234 267 444
Total 1 769 696 2 834

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – Malaria Office.

Measures adopted to combat malaria during the period 1990-1997
Insecticides in the period 1990-1997
Table 2

Insecticide and quantity in tons
Source Fenitrothion Malathion DDT Abate Ritalin
Japanese donation 200 - - - -
World Bank - 147 - 0.24 2.8
WHO - 117 126 26 7.5
Total 200 264 126 26.24 10.3

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – Malaria Office.

Malaria drugs

Thirty per cent of the annual budget provided to the Sudan by WHO is allocated to combating malaria. The order for tablets, ampoules and vaccines of chloroquine, Fansidar tablets, quinine tablets and vaccines and primaquine is estimated on the basis of the annual demand.

Table 2
Child and infant mortality rates during the 10 years preceding the survey conducted in 1993 in urban and rural areas

Source: 1993 Sudanese Survey of Maternal and Child Health (Arab Project for the Advancement of Children).

3. Training in the field of malaria

Groups trained during the period 1990-1997

Doctors Medical Technicians Health Malaria Health
assistants assistants analysts officers

350 130 632 1 520 1 287 368

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – Malaria Office.

4. Budgets provided by WHO during the period 1990-1997 (in thousands of dollars)

1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 Total

600 700 990 900 600 407 4 197

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – Malaria Office.

Table 3
Information on the new states, 1995-1996
Health establishments, 1995

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

Table 4
Type of hospitals, 1995

Source: Federal Ministry of Health. National Centre for Health Information.

Table 5
Ministry of Health and University doctors in 1995

Source: Federal Ministry of Health. National Centre for Health Information.

Table 5 (continued)
Technicians and their work locations

The figures for the southern states represent the number of technicians posts in 1987.
Source: Federal Ministry of Health. National Centre for Health Information.

Table 5 (continued)
Medical assistants in 1995

The figures represent the number of medical assistant costs in 1987. The actual number of posts occupied in the southern states is, however, unknown.
Source: Federal Ministry of Health. National Centre for Health Information.

Table 5 (continued)
Nurses in 1995

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

Tableau 5 (continued)
Other maternal and child health care assistants in 1995

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

Table 5 (continued)
Environmental health personnel

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

Table 6
1. Technical institutes and colleges

2. Schools for general medical assistants

Source: Federal Ministry of Health – National Centre for Health Information.

3. Laboratory assistants

4. Schools for health attendants

5. Schools for medical assistants (various specialist fields)