About 100 opinion leaders from Kamonyi District committed to defending children’s rights and ensure they work closely with security organs to bring to book whoever violates the rights of minors.
They made the commitment on March 29 following a meeting on crime prevention with the District Community Liaison Officer Inspector of Police (IP) Athanase Niyonagira, and attended by local leaders.
“Every child has a right to live, acquire education, good health, shelter, and clothing, among others. You should as well protect children from any form of discrimination and child labour,” IP Niyonagira told the elders.
He noted that there are parents who subject their children to corporal punishments thinking that it’s the best way of disciplining them.
“Verbal assault can as well be a crime against a child’s rights same as child labor and other offenses such as defilement and denying them a right to education. We must, therefore, treat each child in society very well; respectable parents should be the eyes and ears of the law in society by immediately reporting cases of child abuse to Police.”
“Through quick response, we can protect children and ensure their rights are observed,” said IP Niyonagira
The opinion leaders were also reminded utilize the 116 police child help line whenever they encounter a case of child abuse.
Marthe Umugiraneza, the Executive Secretary of Gacurabwenge Sector noted that parents and the elders have a crucial role in fighting such acts of violation of children rights.
“As local leaders, parents and opinion leaders, we have to commit ourselves to this course to champion the promotion of children rights and report any form of abuse,” Umugiraneza said.
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