Africa, Politics
THE Civil Rights group HURIWA, at the Weekend took her anti hard drugs campaign to the schools in South East Nigeria, these campaign took place in Washington Memorial Grammar School located at Onitsha Anambra State and Great St Pauls International Secondary School (Formerly: Girls High School Aba) located at Enyimba City Aba, Abia State.
When our team arrived at the school in Onitsha, we were properly received by their team of Vice Principals, they led us to their students who were already waiting for us.
We kicked off the sensitization with the introduction to drugs and what these drugs are, after that the students were taught what it means to abuse drugs, they were told the dangers associated with drugs and why it should not be taken by anyone, they were educated on ways to say No to drugs.
It was an interactive session with the students as most of them asked different questions as regards to drugs and it’s effect.
The second lecture was given to them on Human Rights and Child Rights, they paid close attention when their rights were being discussed.
After a power pack session with these students, questions came from both the male and female students, they asked questions regarding the different ways Drugs can be Eradicated, they raised concerns after learning so many things about their Rights.
It was a great moment with the students at Washington memorial grammar school, the materials from HURIWA were shared to them while they happily expressed how they felt about our visit, they asked for more of this Campaign.
On our visit to the school in Aba, Abia State, the students and their staff were happy to see us as they were eager to know the good news we brought for them.
As the students were being educated on drugs and it’s effect, they voiced out their fears and asked so many questions surrounding the use of drugs both for male and female.
They expressed their views on how the society sees drugs and it’s usage. They got a different knowledge about Drug abuse. They asked for more of this campaign as it educates them and teaches them some of the things that they do not know as regards to drugs.
The Question and Answer moment was a great time for the students in Aba as they got new knowledge on HUMAN RIGHTS, CHILD RIGHTS, DRUGS AND ITS EFFECTS and VARIOUS WAYS TO ERADICATE DRUGS.
The materials from HURIWA was shared to them and they expressed their sincere gratitude.
The Anti Hard Drug Campaign is a welcome development in South East and every student should be part of this sensitization, it gives them a sense of belonging, it gives them room to voice out their fears and unlearn many things and it also boost their self esteem, according to Miss Obilor Gracecliffs.
Ebubechukwu
South East representative HURIWA who oversaw the three days strategic advocacy campaigns.
A major intellectual materials distributed to the young minds was a freshly written Children’s book on dangers of hard drugs and how to promote and protect human rights. A bird-eye view of the New literature on dangers of hard drugs on Children and on promoting human rights are as follows:
INTRODUCTION
Who is a child in Nigeria?
The term “Child” has been defined in various terms particularly in areas for which a purpose is served. For instance, Section 29(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) defines a child as any person under the age of 18.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines child as a human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
There has never been a more critical time to inform and inspire future generations about their rights. Children and adolescents have the same basic human rights as adults, as well as additional rights that address their unique needs. Children are neither their parents’ property nor needy recipients of charity.
They are human beings who have their own set of rights. Since children are not in a position to advocate for themselves, a legislative system that recognizes and protects their best interests is very important. The Child Rights Convention acknowledges both children’s basic human dignity and the importance of ensuring their well-being and growth. It makes clear that a basic standard of living should be a right for all children, not a luxury enjoyed by a selected few.
Children are trustworthy, naive, and hopeful. Their childhood should be filled with joy and love. As they acquire new experiences, their lives can mature gradually. However, for many youngsters, childhood is a very different experience. Children have been neglected and manipulated throughout history. Hunger and homelessness are common occurrences, as are hazardous working conditions, high infant mortality, inadequate health care, and insufficient resources for basic education.
Having known who a child is, I think it’s very important you proceed to understand your human rights and all that is required as a child. As we celebrate the occasion of Children’s day, it is quite incredible to state that many adults including children are ignorant of the legal rights of a child under the Nigerian Law particularly the Child Rights Act, 2003. It is because of this that i took that path to creating this book.
This book specifically, will enable every child to delve into the gateway of liberty thereby stamping a mirror of their legal rights, right on their finger tips.
Secondly, this book also will stand to sensitize every child on the dangers of hard drugs and how it can be eradicated. A lot of people don’t realize just how dangerous it can be, both to the person using it and his loved ones who cares about him.
One of the most effective ways you can work to prevent the dangers of drug abuse is by learning what, exactly; those dangers are so that you can better understand the nature of the problem and share that information with people around you.
Therefore, every information you may need to acquire in order to be sensitized on the dangers of hard drugs and its eradication will be excellently drafted in this book.
The objective of this book is to instill the rights of every child, right on their finger tips. And also to educate every child on the dangers of hard drugs and its eradication.
Since the future depends on the children, it’s absolutely reliable that when children are built in the right manner, a good and trusted society is also built.
CHAPTER ONE What is human right?
“A right delayed is a right denied.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Child’s Right Act (2003) is the law that guarantees the rights of all children in Nigeria. So far 24 out of 36 states of Nigeria have adopted the CRA as a state law. There are still twelve (12) states in Nigeria that are yet to adopt the CRA in their laws of the 36 states of the federation.
Therefore, what is human right? It is simply a basic right that belong to you because you are human. They represent key values in our society such as fairness, dignity, equality and respect. They are an important means of protection for you, especially those who may face abuse, neglect and isolation. Secondly, Human right simply means the right that belongs to every person. As a child you have these rights because it is something that helps you to adapt in the society. It is very important to understand your human right so that you will know your left from right without being abused or humiliated.
Well, am sure you would want to know how these human rights came about. If so, then relax because am going to explain that to you.
Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognize the worth of every person is by understanding and respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles that deals with equality and fairness. Here, your freedom is being recognized by your parents to make choices about your life and to develop your potential as a human being. Because of that, you live a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.
Human rights can broadly be defined as a number of basic rights that people from around the world have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the rights to health, education and an adequate standard of living.
Mind you, these human rights are the same for all people everywhere both men and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of your background, where you live, what you think or what you believe. This is what makes human rights ‘universal’.
Who are those that have the responsibility to protect human rights?
Human rights connect us to each other through a shared set of rights and responsibilities.
I want you to understand that your ability to enjoy your human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community.
You as a child have the responsibility to ensure that you exercise your rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when you use your right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone else’s right to privacy.
Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people are able to enjoy their rights. They are required to establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected.
For example, the right to education says that every child is entitled to a good education. This means that governments have an obligation to provide good quality education facilities and services to all the children.
Whether or not governments actually do this, it is generally accepted that this is the government’s responsibility and people can call them to account if they fail to respect or protect their basic human rights.
CHAPTER TWO Importance of human right in the life of every child
“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.”
Elie Wiesel
Interest and awareness of human rights has grown in recent decades. In 1948, am sure that time you weren’t conceived yet?
Do you know that the United Nations released the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
This has become the most important document of what should be considered the standard for basic equality and human dignity.
You may ask, what is the need for human right?
Below is the importance of human right in the life of every child.
1: Human rights ensure that children have their basic needs met.
You might be wondering, what are your basic needs?
Your basic needs are simply those needs that are very important to you and you definitely can’t do without them.
Example of your basic needs are:
(1) Food (2) Medical care (3) Water (4) Clothing (5) Shelter
Now, I believe you have understood what your basic needs are. Therefore, you can agree with me that every child needs access to medicine, food and water, clothes, and shelter. By including these in a child’s basic human rights, you will realize that everyone has a baseline level of dignity. Unfortunately, there are still millions of people out there who don’t have these necessities, but saying it’s a matter of human rights allows activists and others to work towards getting these for every child.
2: Human rights protect vulnerable children from abuse
The vulnerable children, I mean children with disabilities etc are being protected by the human rights. This is because they are vulnerable and they need to be protected, therefore human rights ensures they are safe.
3: Human rights encourage freedom of speech and expression
Yes, this is absolutely correct because human rights ensure that every child has the right to speak freely without fear and this is applicable in terms of abuse or maltreatment.
4: Human rights give people access to information
Information is important to every child because we live in the world development. Therefore information is as important as the food you eat every day.
Do you know why?
This is because for you to adapt in the society, you need to be informed. Without information, there will be no education. Organizations and governments concerned with human rights provide access to schooling, supplies, and more in order to halt the cycle of poverty. Seeing information as a right means every child can get access, not just the elite.
5: Human rights protect the environment
You live in the environment, therefore human rights ensures that every child is protected in the environment. For example human right enables every child access to clean air, clean soil, and clean water. And all these are as important as the other rights.
CHAPTER THREE
Examples of Children Human rights and its application.
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. … Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Having read about the importance of human rights, the next thing that I will be introducing to you are they examples of children’s rights.
Am sure you are very excited at the moment?
Why not take a deep breath and smile because am about to show the examples of your human right, Ok.
Do you know that the child’s legal rights are stated in the Nigerian law?
Below are the examples of children rights that exist in Nigeria.
Chapter IV (Section 33 – 46) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) provides for the fundamental rights of every person including children.
These rights include:
1. The Right to life (Section 33)
2. The Right to dignity of the human person (Section 34)
3. The Right to personal liberty (Section 35)
4. The Right to fair-hearing (Section 36)
5. The Right to privacy and family life (Section 37)
6. The Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Section 38)
7. The Right to freedom of expression and the press (Section 39)
8. The Right of freedom of movement (Section 40)
9. The Right to freedom from discrimination (Section 41)
10. The Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria (Section 42)
11. The Right against compulsory acquisition of one’s property without compensation (Section 43)
In addition to the rights provided by the Nigerian Constitution, the Child’s Rights Act of 2003 expands and provide for more defined rights specific to the protection of the rights of the Nigerian Child.
The Child’s Rights Act (2003) is the law that guarantees the rights of all children in Nigeria, providing for the best interest of a child to be of paramount consideration in all actions. It also provides for a child to be given protection and care necessary for his or her wellbeing.
The rights and responsibilities of a child are stated in Part II (Section 3 – 20) of the Child’s Rights Act 2003
These rights include:
1. Application of Chapter IV of 1999 Constitution (Section 3):
2. Right to survival and development (Section 4): Every child has the right to survive and also development, in the sense that you don’t restrict a child from life (survival) and also a child cannot be restricted from growth.
3. Right to name (Section 5): Everybody have a name and everybody have a country. This is also applicable when it comes to children. Your name is your identity, while your country is your nationality. Nobody can claim that he doesn’t have a name or a country. So because of this, every child has the right to a name and a nationality. And also every child deserves to know where he came from, their family, local government and state.
4. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly (Section 6): A child deserves to enjoy social security. It is his right therefore, social security should be restricted from the children.
5. Freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion (Section 7): You don’t think for a child; allow them to think for themselves. Children also have the freedom of conscience and religion. That means every child is free to worship in any religion.
6. Right to private and family life (Section 8): Family is the foundation of every home and also the family is the source of identity to everyone. What I mean here, is that every human being originated from a family. Therefore every child has the right to a family and no child should be restricted from his family.
7. Right to freedom of movement (Section 9): Every child deserves freedom of movement. These are rights, therefore you are not supposed to restrict their movements.
8.Right to freedom from discrimination (Section 10): Children should not be discriminated against in any field. For example in the school or any social function, you should discriminate a child from others simply because he is albino etc. Children should be treated equally in classes, schools, mosque, church etc.
9. Right to dignity of a child (Section 11): Every child deserves respect and value; therefore don’t restrict this from them.
10. Right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities (Section 12) : No child should be restricted from leisure or recreation. As a child you have the right to play and rest when it is necessary
11. Right to health and health services (Section 13): Medical care is one of the basic needs of a man; therefore every child has the right to a good medical health care.
12. Right to parental care, protection and maintenance (Section 14): Children deserve to be cared for, by their parents and spouse. A child deserves to live in a decent house. No child should be left to sleep in a house that is disaster or harmful occurrence .This is because if you fail to care for children, it can push them into living a very bad life. Children are gifts from God and should be protected from ill-treatment. They deserve to be protected from sexual abuse. Imagine a 60years old man marrying a 10 years old girl, or in a situation where an adult rapes a child. All these are practical examples of a sexual abuse. Therefore every child has the right to be protected from sexual abuse .Children deserves to be protected from drug trafficking. No child should be subjected into drug trafficking.
13. Right of a child to free, compulsory and universal primary education, etc.(Section 15): Children have the right to information because this is their source of education. Without information, no child will be educated. Don’t forget the future to building a great nation depends on the children and because of this every child must have the right to education.
1. Right of a child in need of special protection measure (Section 16)
2. Right of the unborn child to protection against harm, etc. (Section 17)
3. Contractual rights of a child (Section 18)
4. Responsibilities of a child and parent (Section 19)
5. Parent, etc. to provide guidance with respect to child’s responsibilities (Section 20)
The CRA 2003 further provides for punishment for child marriage and betrothal, child trafficking, use of children in criminal activities, abduction, exploitative labour, forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, tattoos and skin marks, harmful publication, exposition to narcotic drugs and psycho-tropic substance, recruitment of children into the armed forces amongst other exploitations and unlawful engagements of a child.
The law also provides for immediate provision of safe foster care and shelter for a child endangered in his or her immediate environment.
Several States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have adopted the CRA.
However, some States in Nigeria are yet to domesticate the Child’s Rights Act and it is expedient that they do so without further delay for the protection of children in their States.
A.
Tags: HURIWA
