Human rights body probes alleged assault of child, 9

The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is investigating a complaint of (alleged) assault  involving a 9-year-old child at a school in Tailevu.

The child has sustained injuries on his left eye (allegedly) at the hands of his teacher during a class activity last month.

The Commission is in possession of photographic evidence and has recorded the statement of the child.

The Commission confirms that the matter has been brought to the attention of the Fiji Police Force. The Commission is also following up on the child’s medical reports with relevant authorities.

The Commission has spoken to the headteacher of the school about the safety of the child as well as ensuring that the child is not victimised when he returns to school.

The Commission is also warning private security officers to refrain from inflicting physical violence on children begging or selling food on the streets. The Director of the Commission has  recently lodged a complaint with another witness against a security officer at an international fast-food chain for seriously beating a group of children begging and selling food in the nearby vicinity.

When confronted by the Director of the Commission, the security guard readily admitted to beating up these children.

The matter is being investigated by the nearby Raiwaqa Police Station.

The Commission is urging parents and guardians to come forward and report acts of violence against children.

No one has the right to subject our children to any acts of violence, physical or otherwise, whether they are in the comfort of their homes, classrooms or on the streets.

These children, regardless of whether they are begging or selling food on the streets to make ends meet, have the same constitutional rights like any other privileged child.

They  must enjoy the same protections guaranteed   under the  Convention on the Rights of the Child to every child regardless of race, religion, colour or creed.

The Commission also calls on the members of  public to not stand and witness these acts of violence as passive spectators. How would you feel if these were your children?

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