Every child has a right to live and the government must ensure as much as possible a good life and development of a child but, that is brought to question when the ADF rebels cost the lives of 42 children on the night of June 16, 2023 with 6 abducted from Mpondwe/ Lubiriha Secondary School in Nyabugando Town Council, Karambi Sub County in Kasese District.
Keeping in mind that the attack happened on the day of commemorating the day of the African child, is contrary to everything that this day stands for, and this was a grave violation of major commitments under the international, regional and national laws under the United Nations, the African Union and in Uganda.
Earlier today the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) has called out on all parties to commit on ending all types of violence against children. Uganda has agreed, and continues to commit to the full realization of children’s rights as stipulated in the law of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Protocols.View Post
However, a number of laws were violated during last week attack, Laws that clearly state;
- That every child has a right to life and States must ensure, to the maximum extent possible, life and development of the child;
- That violence against the lives and persons of civilians during war, especially the killing of all people forms, mutilation, violence and torture are prohibited.
- Article 35 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent the abduction of, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form.
- Article 48, Additional Protocol I, Geneva Conventions States that parties to a conflict shall at all times distinguish between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives and accordingly direct their activities against military objectives only.
Thus, the organization is reminding all parties that they should respect the International Humanitarian Law under the Geneva Conventions which emphasizes the protection of civil institutions such as schools and hospitals that provide shelter and care the needs of children.
The Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) is calling on all parties to commit to ending all forms of violence against children. They are requesting that the Government of Uganda take appropriate action to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to court in the strongest possible way; that the 6 abducted children are immediately released and relocated with their families; and that justice is being done for the lives of the 42 children who perished during this brutal attack.
We as Mtoto News, stand with the children, and the bereaved families and leaders of Kasese, and Uganda at large.
Every child has the right to education, the right to be protected, the right to reach the highest physical level and mental health (CRC, ICESCR); and the right to celebrate the Day of the African Child in a peaceful manner.
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