The Speaker of the Liberia National children’s Representative Forum has warned citizens especially parents to desist from what he described as “huge violence perpetrated against Liberian Children including corporal punishment in the Country.”
Jutomue Doetein in an interview with The Monrovia Times recently in Gbarnga Bong County said Corporal punishment which has to do with beating on children is not good for them.
According to him, disciplining a child in a way that he/she sustains marks or wounds on their bodies has become a cultural practice perpetrated by many parents in Liberia.
He noted that some parents are constantly beating on their children leaving severe marks on their bodies. The Liberia National children Representative Forum’s Speaker disclosed that as an umbrella organization for Liberian children, they will continue speaking in the best interest and overall welfare of every Liberian Child and ensure that they remain the foremost agenda of the Liberian Children’s Parliament.
“We have been following a case involving a 12-year-old child in Barnesville community in Monrovia, according to our investigation the victim known as Henry was unmercifully beating by his uncle for misplacing scissors” he asserted.
Jutomue noted that little Henry is currently feeling severe pains and needs medical attention as soon as possible. He said last month another issue came from the peace Island community when a mother now behind bars allegedly beat her six-year-old stepdaughter to death.
He added that these atrocities committed against Liberian Children are alarming and are posing a serious threat to the livelihood of children, noting
‘we strongly condemn the cruel and irresponsible act, which is a serious violation of the 2011 children’s law of Liberia and the United Nations Convention on the rights of a child’.
Jutomue quoted Article 3 section 9.1 of the 2011 children’s Law of Liberia which states that “every child shall have the right to education”.
With such information, the Liberia National children Representative Forum’s Speaker called and appealed to the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, Traditional Leaders and other Authorities of the County to ensure that the girls are brought back.
Doetein said an investigation conducted by the group recently revealed that hundred plus children, especially girls were taken to the Sandi bush in Nimba, even though schools have opened.
He narrated that as a representation of the children of Liberia; they are disappointed, adding that if no action is taken to bring back those children they will gather thousands of children at the Capitol building and Nimba County Administrative building simultaneously.
Doetein indicated that the Liberian National Children’s Parliament is established in the fifteen Counties of Liberia, which is back up by the 2011 children’s Law of Liberia, article 13 sections 20.1, 21.1, 22.1 and 23.1 respectively require for the establishment of Community, Town, District, County and National Children’s Representative Forum to ensure that those children and Young people’s views are heard and acted upon to advance the realization of child rights at all levels.
He, at the same time, called on the government of President George Manneh Weah along with partners to strengthen their efforts in ensuring that the survival, development, protection, and participation of all Liberian Children are given key attention.
