CRC/C/NGA/CO/3-4
76. The Committee urges the State party to take all measures to guarantee the rights
and well-being of internally displaced children. In particular, the State party is urged:
(a) To adopt a comprehensive national policy on IDPs which, inter alia,
identifies the agency responsible for the registration, monitoring and protection
of IDPs, including children;
(b) To ensure that, until such policy is in place, the National Commission for
Refugees (NCFR) and the Nigerian Red Cross are provided with the necessary
resources to effectively protect and ensure the rights of internally displaced
children.
Children of minority groups
77. The Committee is concerned at the lack of information in the State party’s report on
minorities, particularly the Ogoni community (Niger Delta region). Furthermore, the
Committee is concerned by discrimination against ethnic minorities and notes that
provisions of the National Policy on Education conferring special status on the three major
languages (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) may be interpreted as discriminatory. The Committee
notes that no strategies have been developed to ensure appropriate curricula for minorities,
which takes into account the right of children of minority groups to use and receive
education in their own language.
78. The Committee urges the State:
(a) To conduct a study analysis in order to respond adequately to their needs,
particularly the Ogoni community;
(b) To ensure that children of minority groups be given equal access to
education and equal chances to develop qualifications through the introduction
of appropriate and adequate curricula which recognizes their right to use and
receive education in their own language.
Children affected by armed conflict
79. The Committee is seriously concerned about the impact on children of political violence
in recent years, inter-communal and inter-religious unrest and of armed conflict in the
Niger Delta and in other parts of the State party. The Committee notes with utmost concern
reports alleging that children were among the victims in the recent massacres in Jos in
March 2010 and of reports of arbitrary killings by security agencies during the violence in
Plateau state in November 2008. While noting the recent peace process in the Niger Delta
region and the ensuing disarmament, the Committee recognizes the challenges in ensuring
long-term education and employment for the youth ex-fighters.
80. The Committee urges the State party to take measures to prevent any violation of
the right to life, survival and development of children affected by violent conflict and
unrest in its territory. It urges the State party to give full consideration to the
recommendations set forth in the decision of 11 March 2010 by the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
81. The Committee urges the State party to implement its programmes to provide
education for children in the Niger Delta, as well as to develop, in line with article 39
of the Convention, necessary recovery and reintegration activities to ensure long term
social reintegration of these children.
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