JERRY ADESEWO: Child Rights NGO welcomes Nigeria’s ratification of Child Rights Protocol

JERRY ADESEWO: Child Rights NGO welcomes Nigeria’s ratification of Child Rights Protocol: "http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm"

Child Rights NGO welcomes Nigeria’s ratification of Child Rights Protocol

The child rights NGO Stepping Stones Nigeria[i] (SSN) has congratulated the Nigerian government on its ratification of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography,[ii] which took place on 27^th September 2010. This Protocol is supplementary to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child,[iii] which Nigeria ratified in 1991.

By ratifying the Protocol, Nigeria has undertaken to prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, to criminalise such acts and to prosecute and punish any offenders, including the seizure of any proceeds. Nigeria has also undertaken to ensure that children who are the victims of being sold, trafficked, or being used as prostitutes or in child pornography are supported and that their rights and interests are protected, including appropriate training for professionals who work with children. In addition, the Protocol requires that Nigeria cooperates effectively with other countries to end these practices.

Gary Foxcroft, Programme Director of SSN, said “The Optional Protocol is a key piece of international legislation for the protection of child rights. We are delighted that Nigeria has chosen to ratify this Protocol, as it will help to protect Nigerian children from being trafficked, from being sexually abused as prostitutes or from being used in pornography. This action by Nigeria clearly supports the steps that the country has already taken to stamp out such horrific practices and to uphold children’s rights within Nigeria.”

Dr Emilie Secker, Advocacy and Research Officer of SSN, added “Child trafficking is a huge problem within Nigeria, and the ratification of this Protocol clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Nigerian government to overcoming this. Stepping Stones Nigeria would like to offer the Nigerian government any help and support that we can to make sure that this Protocol is quickly and effectively implemented.”

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[i] Stepping Stones Nigeria works with Nigerian partner organisations to provide accommodation, education, literacy, food, healthcare and hope for a better future to vulnerable children including so-called ‘witches’ and ‘wizards’ of the Niger Delta. Through advocacy and research, they campaign for an end to child witchcraft stigmatisation and work to inspire others working on similar issues to fight for the rights of vulnerable children and adults at risk of abuse. Stepping Stones Nigeria is a registered charity in England and Wales – No. 1112476.

[ii] The full text of the Protocol is available at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc-sale.htm

[iii] The text of the Convention is available at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm

CHILD WITCHES: Witnesses, Parents of Lucky Twins Detained

The Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters have detained the witnesses and parents of the 6years old twin brothers who were slated to be buried alive by one Saturday Okon but rescued by the police of Esit Eket division. The report from family sources say the father of the twins Mr. Monday Vasco and his witnesses have been allegedly accused by the police headquarters of spreading false information and were said to been tortured and intimidated because they refused to retract their statements.

Speaking to news men on the alleged illegal detention, the Akwa Ibom State commissioner of police Mr. Walter Rubere who has barely twenty-six (26) days left for his retirement said he was not away of any detention of the said father and his witnesses but said what he knew was that the suspects were being charged to court by the police. “I don’t know were you are getting this kind of information but I can assure you that my men are charging those people to court. Simple!” The police boss charged.

But in a sharp contrast to his boss’ statement, the officer in charge of the CID unit, one Mr. Udoette said the witnesses and the parent of the twins were being detained in other to have them to testify in court when they are so needed.

“We are keeping them here so that we can get them anytime we want them to testify in court. That’s the discretion of the police but any competent person that comes; we will release them for bail”

But sources from the families of the complainant and the witnesses say they were surprise to see how the police brutalised, detained the innocent twin’s father and the witnesses while demanding for N50,000 each from them as bail and the two twins stranded on the streets of Uyo.

‘‘The twin brothers are now roaming the streets of Uyo while the police is beating their parents in detention and asking them to change statements, give them N50000 each. I don’t know where we will get that kind of money to give the police whereas they say bail is free.’’ A family source lamented.

However, in an attempt to resurrect Mary Slassor who died hundred years ago, two weeks after Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Media outing in both CNN and his State TV and Radio broadcast, he told the whole world that child witch issue was a scam and a deliberate attempt to smear his government image, a man from Ebe Ekpi in Esit Eket Local

Government Area, dragged two twins to the forest, dug a grave in an attempt to bury them alive but was arrested by the police of Esit Eket Division after a palm wine taper raise alarm to the village,