Rights activist warns parents on child abuse

KAYONZA - Residents of Kayonza district have been cautioned against child abuse. John Gatete, a district health official made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing residents of Karambi village in Murundi sector. “Let us take care of children by offering them basic needs, including ensuring their cleanness. It is your obligations, and their right to be taken care of ,” he said, warning of tough punishment to negligent parents. Gimu Higiro, of a child rights NGO known as SWAA Rwanda, reiterated the need to respect children’s rights. Some parents risk the wrath of the law if they don’t change the way they treat children, he said. Quoting article 18 touching on penalty against child neglect, he said that any person abusing a child, is liable to imprisonment between six months and three years. “Ignorance of the law is no defense. Some of you claiming ignorance of children rights may be in trouble. It is sad that you take most of these pieces of advice we give you for granted,” said Higiro. However, Celestin Bizagezahe, 50, a resident of Kamena village said child laws have compromised general conduct because children are no longer punished for wrongs committed be it in school or at home. “Our children have lost respect because they know the law is in their favor, they don’t respect parents and teachers. So, in such circumstances where could we be heading to ?,” he said. Ends