THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA 2005 - UNDP Nigeria ...

CHAPTER SEVENCHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS“In every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual,public or private body, institutions or service, court of law, or administrative orlegislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primaryconsideration.”Section 1, Child’s Rights Act, 2003“In all actions undertaken against the child by any person or the legal authoritythe best interest of the child should be the primary consideration”.Article 4 (1), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of theChild“In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private socialwelfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, thebest interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessaryfor his or her well­being, taking into account the rights …”Article 3, International Convention on the Rights of the ChildThe security, welfare and interest of the child are vital to the growth and development of anynation. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the UN GeneralAssembly Resolution 44/25 of 20 th November 1989. It is the most comprehensive andcomplete statement on children’s rights. The convention eventually came into force on the 2 nd ofSeptember 1990. This landmark document of the UN ensures justice, peace and freedom forchildren who constitute over half of the world’s population.Although Nigeria has ratified and domesticated the CRC and is party to the African Union Charteron the Rights and Welfare of the Child (AUCRWC), studies have however shown that most of thechildren live without basic necessities of life, significant for their survival and development. Thisposes serious challenge to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).At the regional level, Nigeria ratified the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of theChild (AUCRWC) in 2001. Nigeria in July 29, 2003, domesticated the provisions of the CRC andAUCRWC, through the enactment of the Child’s Rights Act (CRA), which focuses on the followingfour key principles:· Survival· Development· Protection, and· ParticipationDespite the fact that Nigeria is a party to the CRC, AUCRWC and has enacted the CRA, childrenare still maltreated, neglected, sexually exploited and physically abused. Some of the most widelyreported violations include the following· Street trading/hawking· Street begging54