By Joseph S. Ansumanah
The Human Rights Commission with support from United Nation Development Programme has on the 7th June 2018, launched the Human Rights and Peace Clubs in Secondary Schools.
The event took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation Conference Hall in Freetown.
It was based on the theme: ‘’Building a Culture of Human Rights in Schools’’.
Launching the Human Rights and Peace Cubs, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Basic Primary and Secondary Education, Madam Emily Kadiatu Gogra said it is generally believed that human rights education are useful to fostering a positive change in attitude and also the ability to stop violent tendencies in society.
She said Human Rights and Peace Club is a very good initiative by Human Rights Commission will help young generation to embrace the good essence of peaceable living.
She stated that under President Bio’s New Direction, they as a government take human rights issues seriously.
She called on schools that have already established clubs to make good use of the initiative.
The Deputy Minister mentioned that, as government they believe in inclusiveness governance for the development of Sierra Leone, adding that, development will only take place when individual are involved in the promotion of human rights.
Madam Gogra commended the Human Rights Commission and it partners for providing the platform for bring pupils together to know the importance of peace and human rights and called on all principals to established the human rights and peace clubs in their schools so that the increase in violence in schools will be minimized drastically.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alie Kabba said the establishment of Human Rights and Peace Clubs across the Africa is in initiative of the Africa Union. He added that the aim of initiative is to promote respect for human rights across all ages with emphasis on secondary schools pupils.
He informed the gathering that with President Bio’s programme of government contained in the new direction, “we are committed to development and peace in consistent with international human rights principles.”
He made case for the protection of the rights of vulnerable persons including disabled persons, women and children.
The Minister said with the launching of the Human Rights and Peace Clubs in secondary schools; the government is taking concrete steps to endorse a national programme which will be pioneered by the Human Rights Commission.
Minister Alie Kabba stated that Peace Clubs are indeed consistent with the provisions of the Human Rights Act of 2017.
He added his voice to the setting up of structures, policies and programme necessary to improve the welfare and rights of children in the country.
Addressing the audience, the Chairperson, Human Rights Commission, Commissioner Jessie Fornah said the commission is responsible for promotion of human rights in the country. He explained that, if the pupils are educated on human rights, it will help them to know their rights. He said as a nation if the citizenry is educated on their rights no nobody will deny them and that will lead the country to development.
He said the commission was established by the Act of Parliament in 2004 with the mandate to promote human rights, noting that, the commission has been engaging on series of human rights training activities for public officials, law enforcement officials and schools pupils in the country.
The Commissioner pointed out that, human rights education in secondary schools is important because it will help the pupils to have knowledge on human rights and peace which will be applicable in their various communities.
The Principal, Russell Technical Secondary School, Joko C.R. Venn commended Human Rights Commission and its partners for taking such a laudable venture in establishing Human Rights and Peace Clubs in secondary schools which will create awareness among pupils and teachers.
He implored his colleagues to embrace the human rights and peace clubs in their schools “because human rights is a way of life and as institutions we have to promote it because it is a learning process, if they pupils rare educated and grounded in the culture of human rights and peace, they will demonstrate it in their communities, work places…”