The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Federal Government to urgently provide adequate health care for children and women impregnated by Boko Haram insurgents.
In a statement issued by the group’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, in Lagos on Thursday, SERAP stated that the call followed the recent disclosure that about 214 children and women rescued from the insurgents in North-East were pregnant.
“Having survived the horrific crime of rape and sexual violence, these children and women should be spared further physical and mental torture by ensuring that they are urgently allowed access to all necessary medical treatment.
“Such medical treatment must be provided on a non-discriminatory basis. Under international law, all victims of conflict, including rape victims, must receive the best care as soon as possible.
“The children and women are therefore entitled as of right to enjoy access to good quality medical care, including sexual and reproductive health,” the group stated.
SERAP said it was seriously concerned that the pregnant children and women continue to face adverse treatment or lack proper treatment and care.
According to the group, if urgent action is not taken, many of the women and children may spend the rest of their lives with full blown emotional problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
It stated that by ensuring their access to urgent medical care, President Goodluck Jonathan, would be sending a powerful message that the rights of the children and women would be fully honoured by his government.
“SERAP contends that children and women raped during armed conflict are within the wounded and sick protected by Common Article 3 of Geneva Conventions.
“Nigeria is obliged to provide all wounded and sick victims of armed conflict with humane treatment, access to appropriate life-saving medical care and attention required by their conditions without discrimination,” it stated.
SERAP further urged the government to provide regular information to the public on the exact number of pregnant children and women now being screened by the authorities.
It also requested for information regarding their access to medical care, basic shelter, housing and the plan for their rehabilitation.
SERAP stated that it was monitoring the situation and would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions nationally and internationally to enforce the rights of the women and children.
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