Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and the Electoral Hub says recent arraignment of 32 underage protesters during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division highlights the urgent need for reform on how the judicial and police systems interact with young citizens.
In commemoration of African Youth Day 2024, the director of IRIAD-The Electoral Hub, Princess Hamman- Obels, said the detention of minors, who were exercising their constitutional right to protest, raises serious concerns about the criminalization of youth activism and the violation of children’s rights as proscribed by Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and Section 11 of the Child Rights Act 2003.
She said IRIAD and the Electoral Hub highlighted the troubling trend in which young individuals, particularly those involved in civic activism, encounter harassment, intimidation, and detention.
According to her , IRIAD and The Electoral Hub underscore the demographic significance of African youth, with more than 420 million individuals aged 15-35 representing approximately 35% of the continental population.
She said this observance seeks to strengthen youth engagement, foster leadership development, and catalyze investment in youth-focused initiatives across Africa.
She further said examining Nigeria’s youth political landscape reveals striking disparities between representation and population.
“While youth voters constitute the largest demographic group at 39.65% (37,060,399 registered voters in 2023), their presence in leadership positions remains minimal.
“This disparity is evident in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, where only two candidates aged 18-35 are vying for governor and deputy positions.
“The justice system’s treatment of youth protesters, especially minors, contradicts both national and international standards for protecting children’s rights and promoting youth civic engagement.
“This situation creates an environment of fear and distrust between young citizens and law enforcement institutions, further alienating youth from participating in democratic processes.
“In response to these challenges, IRIAD has implemented comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, including training in civic engagement, political awareness, and advocacy skills.
“The organization develops accessible educational tools, featuring infographics, and cartoons, designed to demystify political processes and highlight engagement opportunities.
“IRIAD and The Electoral Hub propose concrete measures for stakeholders, calling for policy frameworks that actively promote youth inclusion, reform the justice and law enforcement systems to better protect young people’s rights, develop mechanisms for meaningful youth consultation in policy-making, enhance educational access, and foster entrepreneurial development.
“They emphasize the critical need for establishing robust dialogue mechanisms to incorporate youth perspectives in policy formulation.
“IRIAD and The Electoral Hub envision the commemoration of the African Youth Day 2024 as a catalyst for transformative change in youth engagement. IRIAD and The Electoral Hub expressed their dedication to nurturing youth leadership and creating pathways for substantive participation,” she said.
