CONDEMNATION OF THE ALLEGED DELIBERATE POURING OF HOT WATER ON A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD
We the members of the aforementioned organization strongly condemn the reported incident in which a five-year-old child was allegedly subjected to severe physical harm through the deliberate pouring of hot water on him, reportedly arising from a personal altercation involving his mother.
If established, this is a deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable act of cruelty against a vulnerable child. Whatever disagreement, misunderstanding, provocation or personal dispute may exist between adults, an innocent five-year-old child must never be made to bear the consequences.
A child cannot be used as a weapon of retaliation, intimidation or revenge in a dispute between adults.
A GRAVE HUMAN-RIGHTS CONCERN
We consider the protection of children from violence, abuse and degrading treatment to be a fundamental human-rights obligation.
The alleged conduct, if proven, represents a shocking disregard for the child’s dignity, bodily integrity and fundamental right to protection from violence and abuse.
We particularly condemn any attempt to justify violence against a child on the basis of an adult disagreement. An adult’s dispute with a child’s mother does not confer any moral, legal or human justification to inflict suffering upon the child.
CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
We respectfully call upon the relevant law-enforcement and child-protection authorities to:
- Immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- Ensure the safety and protection of the child from any further harm or intimidation.
- Ensure that the child receives appropriate medical treatment and necessary psychological support.
- Identify and properly investigate all persons connected with the alleged incident.
- Where the evidence establishes criminal responsibility, ensure that the matter is appropriately prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law.
- Ensure that the child and the child’s family receive appropriate protection against intimidation, retaliation or interference with the investigation.
OUR POSITION
We maintain that children must never become victims of conflicts between adults.
Personal disagreements should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means. Under no circumstances should an innocent child be deliberately subjected to physical suffering as a means of settling an adult dispute.
We therefore urge members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or possess credible information concerning it to cooperate with the appropriate authorities and to refrain from spreading unverified allegations or material that could further traumatize or expose the child.
The identity, dignity and privacy of the minor should be protected throughout any investigation or legal proceedings.
A MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC
Silence in the face of violence against vulnerable persons can allow abuse to continue.
We call upon parents, guardians, community leaders, law-enforcement agencies, child-protection institutions, civil-society organisations and members of the public to collectively reject every form of violence against children.
No disagreement between adults should ever become a sentence of suffering for an innocent child.
No child should be used as an instrument of revenge.
No child should be subjected to cruelty.
Every child deserves protection, dignity, safety and justice.
We will continue to advocate for the protection of vulnerable persons and for accountability where credible evidence establishes violations of fundamental human rights.
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.
PROTECT THE CHILD. DEFEND HUMAN DIGNITY. DEMAND JUSTICE.
Thank you;
Barr Collins Edu Abiodun,
President/Director General,
Edubrain Int’l Human Rights Organization.
FOR ENQUIRIES:
Secretariat:
#37, 2nd East Circular Road, Off Sapele Road/Sakponba Road/Akpakpava Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
09110581929, 08146409038
Email: Edubrainconglomerates36@gmail.com
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