By ADO SALISU
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) unequivocally condemns the unlawful detention of minors who were apprehended during the #Endbadgovernance protests held in August this year. These protests were a significant expression of public dissent against pressing issues of widespread hunger and economic distress that have been affecting the citizens since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A statement signed by the Executive Director of the outfit. Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikrullahi said the participation of young individuals in these demonstrations highlights their awareness and concern for the socio-economic challenges facing their communities and the country at large.
He added that CHRICED is disturbed by the prolonged detention of minors, who appeared in court in a state of severe hunger and malnutrition, as evidence of the inhumane conditions they endured while incarcerated. It may be necessary for the government to be reminded that these children could be part of the Almajiri street children population in Northern Nigeria, which is a segment of the over 10 million children who are out of school nationwide. As a nation, Nigeria has persistently failed to support these children, and consequently, the government lacks the moral authority to treat them as criminals and fugitives within their own homeland.
The Executive Director called for the immediate and unconditional release of these minors, as their continued detention is not only unjust but also represents a severe infringement of their fundamental human rights.
” Such actions are in direct violation of several key legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of children. Specifically, this detention contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the need to protect children from arbitrary detention and to ensure their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” he explained.