Let  human rights lawyers rescue our children from inhuman treatment

By Salihi Adamu Takai

International lawyers can come to the aid of the accused underage children being accused of treason before the Federal High Courts sitting in Abuja.

The dehumanised and cruel treatment faced by children due to the merciless detention is undoubtedly against international law and even our domestic law.

The Children were detained, subjugated, and tortured through starvation.

Therefore, as Nigeria is one of the signed States to the treaty of the African Charter on People’s and Political Rights, it is supposed to protect, respect, and fulfill the Freedom from torture, contained under Article 5 as provided: “Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status.

All forms of exploitation and degradation of man, particularly slavery, slave trade, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment shall be prohibited.”

Freedom from torture is an absolute right that can’t be limited under any circumstances. Unfortunately, the children were arrested whilst exercising their rights as citizens of Nigeria and left hopelessly receiving inhuman treatment. So unfortunate.

The African Court (as was established under Article 30 of the African Charter On People’s and Political Rights) has jurisdiction to hear this case against Nigeria.