The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, and other rights stakeholders have advised children to always speak up when their rights and privacy are being violated.
They pointed out that there are available legal instruments to ensure justice for children whose rights are abridged. They made the call during the ‘Yearly Secondary Schools’ Human Rights Summit (Season V)’ held at the National Human Rights Commission’s office in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu emphasised that the government is committed to preventing violations of childrens’ rights and to ensuring that their rights and privacy are protected.
Also in their separate addresses, the Director General of Institute For Peace and Conflicts Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut T. Bakut, and Executive Secretary of National Human Rights (NHRC), Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), urged the children to report cases of privacy violation in face of threats from neighbours, teachers and even fellow students.
Dr. Bakut also tasked the relevant authorities to be alive to their responsibilities in ensuring children’s rights are safeguarded. While bemoaning the growing number of street children, he urged authorities to intervene to prevent the increase of children on the streets.
Similarly, Ojukwu (SAN) advised children to speak up if violators threaten them.
“Don’t accept anyone who says you can’t speak up when your privacy is violated; if they threaten you, inform your teacher, and if the individual is your teacher, tell your parents. They can only harm you if you remain silent,” Ojukwu advised.
Themed, ‘Better Life For Every Child,’ organised by Sterling Centre for Law and Development (SLC) was to provide a platform for young people to learn about human rights at an early age.
The Executive Director of SLC, Deji Ajayi said the yearly summit would bring about tolerance among children to grow a generation of youths that will have respect for the law and each one.
The programme, which was supported by Suntrust Bank, NHRC and Youth for Human Right International, among others was intended to expose the children to their rights and that of others.