Press Release
Monday 4th November 2002


AFRUCA DISAPPOINTED OVER REJECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS BILL BY NIGERIAN PARLIAMENT

AFRUCA – Africans Unite Against Child Abuse has expressed its disappointment over the rejection of the Government sponsored children’s rights bill by the country’s House of Representatives.

The Children’s Rights Bill, the adoption of which would have signalled Nigeria’s official commitment to protecting the rights of its children against all forms of abuse and cruelty, was voted out by a majority of the representatives. One of the reasons reported by the Nigerian media was that it was not in tune with the country’s religious diversity and that a law on children’s rights will make children more lawless.

“This decision has far reaching, negative consequences for the work being done to improve the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria. Unfortunately, religion is being used to derail efforts towards making life better for its children and preventing them from abuse and cruelty at the hands of others,” said Modupe Debbie Ariyo, AFRUCA Director.

“While other countries in Africa like Kenya and Ghana are making great strides in promoting and protecting the rights of their children, Nigeria, by this singular action has taken a major step backward. Sadly, Nigeria’s 60 million children will be the worst for it,” she added.

“I hope that this is only a temporary setback and that subsequent actions by the House will propel Nigeria towards achieving a better life for its children. This Bill must be passed into Law for the sake of Nigerian children and their future”, she said.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Editors

AFRUCA - Africans Unite Against Child Abuse is a not-for-profit organisation concerned about cruelty against the African child. Our aim is to promote the welfare of African children worldwide.
Contact for further details:
Africans Unite Against Child Abuse

Tel: +44(0)20 7704 2261
Fax: +44(0)20 7704 2266
Post: AFRUCA, Unit 4S Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP United Kingdom.

E-mail: info@AFRUCA.org


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------