Amnesty International is concerned at the abduction of children in Northern Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), estimated at a total of 12,000 over the last 12 years. Abducted children are forced to work in appalling conditions and are used as soldiers in various conflicts. In addition, girls are subjected to sexual abuse. The Sudanese government is supporting the LRA to use it as a militia against the SPLA. AI is concerned at the worldwide increase in the use of child soldiers