Members of the Child Rights Coalition in Sierra Leone (CRC-SL) in collaboration with other child rights organizations in the country presented the Coalition’s position paper to the Chairman and members of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC).
Held at the conference room of the CRC at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building, CRC-SL’s Chairperson, Hawa Samai presented a detailed background of the establishment of the Child Rights Coalition in Sierra Leone, including several activities undertaken over the years as well as collaboration with other child rights organization, both national and International.
She informed the committee that since 2007 when the coalition was established it has been involved in both advocacy and lobbying on behalf of those children who find themselves in difficult situations, caused by parents, guardians or some other individuals who for no reason trampled on the rights of a child.
Madam Samai urged the Chair and members of the review committee to critically look into the position paper put before them from the coalition on behalf of the children of Sierra Leone, whose voices are not heard, and as a result most of them continue to suffer in silence or die because of neglect and proper care.
The CRC-SL Chairperson also called on the CRC to include in the review that all children below the age of 18 years should not be exposed or forced into any form of initiation or cultism, noting that it is a violation of their rights as children, and even when they are 18 and above, children should give their consent.
Presenting the position paper, a member of the coalition, Manaf Kemokai stated that owing to the fact that children’s right issues are perilous and require special attention and approach.
He furthered that the CRC-SL recommends that a special chapter be created within the new constitution exclusively for children, and within the special chapter, CRC-SL made the following recommendations.
Mr Kemokai said the new constitution should entrench “ best interest of the child” principle so that in situations where provisions of different legislations conflict with each other, the best interest of the child principle entrenched in the new constitution can be used by the competent authority to do interpretation and take decision on matters concerning the child.
Similarly, Manaf Kemokai maintained that non-discrimination be also be included in the new constitution, noting that CRC-SL has observed that there are several discriminatory laws against women and children in Sierra Leone including section 27 (4d) of the current 1991 constitution, which makes room for discriminatory practises against women and children relating to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other personal matters.
The most burning issue was the right to life, survival, development as well as the citizenship of children.
Mr. Kemokai stated that the coalition notes that many children in and around the country lack access to proper food and nutrition while child and infant mortalities are still high and among the highest in the World.
As a result, Child Rights Coalition recommends that Government through the new constitution must be obligated to strengthen her policies and programmes to address issues related to the right to life, survival, security, health care and the development of children around the country, especially those living in the deepest remote part in rural communities.
Receiving the children’s voice, Hon. Justice Edmund Cowan said the committee was pleased to receive the first position paper on behalf of what he described as ‘our future.
He commended the CRC-SL for encouraging the children to be part of a process which he said time and efforts were put into it to state their case and make their position clear to the committee on how to secure a safe future for them through the new constitution.
Justice Cowan said other institutions and organizations presented position papers, noting that it has to be so as everyone should have their say in an exercise which will further shape the development and future of the country.
He said there are many issues in the child rights Act which needs serious review, noting that the time it was prepared, those involved in the process did not consider certain implications, which makes it difficult to clarify certain issues affecting children’s rights.
The CRC Chairman assured members of CRC-SL that their concerns and recommendations will be looked at and do everything possible to bring out what is best in the interest of the children and the country.
By Ade Campbell
Friday November 20, 2015
ADVERTISEMENT