The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the violation of children’s rights during the Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7.
It said such actions undermine the Africa Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
UNICEF highlighted the case of 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki, who was killed by a stray bullet while watching TV at home in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.
The organisation called for the Kenyan government to accord the requisite rights to detained minors, including access to legal assistance, family contact and must be separated from adults while in custody.
“UNICEF is also deeply concerned by reports of children being arrested during the protests. Detention should be the last resort as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Africa Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,” the statement read in part. “Minors who have been detained must have immediate access to appropriate legal assistance, family contact and should be separated from adults while in custody for the shortest time possible.”
“Children must be protected from harm at all times and under all circumstances. It is their fundamental right.”
The statement comes as the Monday protests, held to commemorate the historic 1990 Saba Saba pro-democracy movement, saw running battles between the protesters and the police.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 31 people were killed during the melee and 107 were injured.
Further, the Commission documented two cases of enforced disappearances and 532 arrests in connection with the chaos.
Many are nursing wounds in hospitals and at homes after the clash with police.
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