Sempe pupils briefed on their rights (8/6/09)p11

THE acting Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ms Anna Bossman, has urged children to report all forms of infringement of their rights to the police or the commission for thorough investigation and action.
Interacting with pupils of the Sempe One A Primary School in Accra last Friday, Ms Bossman said reporting infringements would contribute to the development of the culture of enforcing children’s rights.
The interactive programme was organised by CHRAJ on a pilot basis as part of its efforts to create awareness of human rights in selected basic schools in Accra.
It used the occasion to sensitise children to their rights and responsibilities, as well as the appropriate steps they were required to take when their rights were violated.
Ms Bossman encouraged children to be bold to report their parents who abused them or violated their rights to the commission.
She said it was a crime for parents not to look after their children and added that the necessary action would be taken to ensure that parents adhered to the rights of their children, such as fundamental human rights and the right to education and health.
The acting commissioner advised children to be law abiding and respect authority, perform their responsibilities and study hard so that they could grow to become responsible leaders in future.
She advised the children against drug addiction and all forms of child labour and asked them to focus on their education to be able to achieve their lifetime dreams and ambitions.
The Director in charge of Legal Services and Investigations at CHRAJ, Mr Joseph Whittal, said teachers had the right to discipline children when they misbehaved but not to the extent of degrading them or causing harm to them.
He assured the children of the commitment of CHRAJ to thoroughly investigate any report they made to the commission for appropriate measures to be taken to ensure that they enjoyed their rights.
During an open forum, the pupils asked questions and sought clarification on issues bothering them.
A similar interactive and sensitisation programme is expected to be organised by CHRAJ at the St Mary’s Anglican Primary School in Accra on June 12, 2009.