Borno To Establish Core Justice System For Youths

*UNODC calls youth, govts, organizations to action on justice with children

By; SÀDIQ ABUBAKAR,  Maiduguri 

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has assured that his government will ensure immediate establishment and enforcement of vote Justice for children in the state.

The governor also appreciated the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, STRIVE, federal government and the European Union among other collaborators and partners, for the support and promotion of child rights and labour through justice.

Represented by the Borno State  Commissioner of Justice and State Attorney General (SAG), Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, he stated this on Wednesday  at the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children held at the Ministry of Women Affairs Auditorium, Musa Usman Secretariat Maiduguri  with a theme, “Advancing Child-Centered Justice: Preventing and responding to violence affecting children in justice systems” .

The Satellite Event  was  organized in collaboration with  the United Nations Office  for Drugs and Crimes, STRIVE, Federal  abd Borno  State Governments and funded by the European Union.

Governor Zulum noted that  the experiences of children associated with armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups, are often misunderstood or misrepresented, pointing out that,  too frequently, these children are seen solely through the lens of criminality or threat, rather than as victims of a serious form of violence against children. 

“We recognize and acknowledge that many of these children are victims who have been recruited, coerced, manipulated, and exploited- often through force or survival pressures arising from poverty, displacement, abuse, or conflict.

“During  the insurgency, their association with armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups, children are frequently exposed to extreme violence, including witnessing killings, suffering trauma from explosives and remnants of war (UXO/ERWs), or being forced into roles such as combatants, spies, or suicide bombers. 

He observed that many girls and women were   subjected to forced marriage or sexual exploitation, compounding the layers of physical and psychological harm they endure. 

While some  much often upon do  escape or were rescued by the military and CJTF or being released where these children often face continued stigma, discrimination, and marginalization in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps or host communities, with limited access to justice, care, and existing frameworks to support their reintegration.

“We, therefore, as part of our commitment/ observations as a government and leaders who care for the our children recognize that children are primarily victims of circumstances  regardless of the acts they were compelled to commit while under the influence or control of armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups. 

“We shall establish and enforce core Justice for the children and join the crusade of calling youths for action through our ministry of justice framework in juvenile justice among others,” SAG said.

She also acknowledged the support and contributions of the UNODC, STRIVE, federal government and  governments of the BAY states, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for their role and efforts on Justice for children while commending Governor  Zulum and State Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zanna SAN for their support,  steadfastness and resilience  on issues and matters concerning justice and judiciary in the state.

Earlier, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) Country Representative, Cheikh O.usmane Touré thanked the federal and state government as well as EU and other partners for their support , efforts and cooperation on Justice for children and the call for youths cation.

He expressed UNODC commitment to the youths call for action while observing that children  are primarily victims regardless of the acts they were compelled to commit while under the influence or control of armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups. 

Toure added thattje.faillutre of the system to completely address this matter informed the intervention and call by youth for action on Justice with children associated with armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups, are victims various serious forms of violence and grave child rights violations including against their rights to protection, education, freedom from violence, and access to health and justice.

 He said they should be entitled to have their rights protected and safeguarded.

Children formerly associated with armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups, healing through mental health and psychosocial support, not punishment through detent prosecution including  rehabilitation and reintegration must be prioritized over punishment, focusing on edu psychosocial support, and community acceptance.

He also noted that  youths  are advocating against narratives of hate, and they foster pathways for healing by promoting peace, reconciliation and societal acceptance, stressing that, youths and children have a role to play in empowering communities to be part of the reintegration process by providing a welcoming environment for the children associated with armed and criminal groups, including terrorist groups.

“Every child is entitled to protection from crime and violence, not punishment, and every child has the right to be heard. We stand together for a future where children are safe, supported, and never subjected to violence and crime. 

“We call on governments in communities, with limited access to justice, care, and existing frameworks to support their reintegration. We are  therefore, as part of our commitment / observations as young people recognize that they  will never subjected to violence and crime,” UNODC Country Representative said.