The head of the NHRC Ojukwu describes the accusations of witchcraft against children as a dangerous criminal practice

The head of the NHRC Ojukwu describes the accusations of witchcraft against children as a dangerous criminal practice –

… says Acerwc visit a alarm clock

By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (basic reporter) The executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), dr. Tony Ojukwu (San) complained about the accusations of witchcraft against children, stating that it is a dangerous and criminal practice that continues in some communities in Nigeria despite having been published. This is also as it described the recent visit of the African Committee of experts on the rights and well -being of the child (Acerwc) as a “alarm clock” so much on the persistent question of children branded as witches.

Ojukwu made Tgis known on Friday in Abuja during an interview journalists after the NHRC debriefing by the Acerwc delegation at the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja on Friday, dr. Ojukwu praised the efforts of the Committee “, calling them” one of the previous organs of the African Union who carried out Marvelous work for the rights and well -being of children “.

He stressed that the visit of the Committee aligned himself with the NHRC mandate to promote and protect the rights of children and other vulnerable groups. “We have a complete department focused exclusively on children’s rights. The committee’s work is complementary to ours,” he said.

Facing the problem of the accusations of witchcraft against children, dr. Ojukwu defined him a dangerous and criminal practice that continues in some Nigerian communities despite being put out of the outlaw. “Our laws are clear. The Child Rights Act and other state laws criminalize these harmful traditional practices,” he said. “Any attempt to label a child like a witch is a crime and often leads to even more serious violations such as torture, abandonment and homeless.”

While recognizing that Nigeria has issued global laws on the protection of minors, he underlined the urgent need for effective application. “The real challenge is now the implementation. The laws on paper are not enough. The communities must see a real action,” he said.

Dr. Ojukwu also asked for greater collaboration between government bodies, civil society organizations and NHRC to ensure that children are protected at all levels. “We must build structures at the community level, improve relationships and ensure that the authors are pursued. This is not only a legal problem, but it is a company,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the NHRC towards the protection and human rights, exhorting all the parties interested in working together to end these harmful practices and ensure that no child is left behind.

Previously in his observations, the executive secretary of Acerwc, dr. Ayelew Beachew Asefa, he praised Nigeria for allowing the search mission of the facts on the violations of the rights of minors, in particular as regards children accused of witchcraft.

Dr. Ayalew described the authorization of the Nigeria of investigations as a significant gesture of transparency and commitment for the protection of minors. “The fact that the state party has authorized this mission talks about volumes on its will to collaborate with the African Committee to strengthen the protection systems of minors already underway,” he said.

It will be remembered that the mission, conducted for five days, followed a formal communication presented to the Committee for serious violations of the rights of minors in various Nigerian states. While the team held meetings with government agencies and stakeholders, he also met groups of civil society, some without representatives of the government present.

Dr. Ayalew stressed that the results presented at briefing were preliminary and did not represent the final result of the investigation. “This is a narrative relationship, an account of what has emerged in the last few days. The final results will be presented during the 46th ordinary session of the Committee,” he clarified.

He reiterated the responsibility of the Committee against the Nigerian government, recognizing the state as the best of his children. “In the end, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the primary liability to protect their children. Our role is to support and report,” he said.