Bright Appiah, Executive Director of Child’s Right International, has emphasized that children do have the right to demonstrate, provided they give their consent and are not coerced into participating.
Speaking on ABC IN THE MORNING on September 24, 2024, he clarified that “in our laws, there is no way written that a child cannot participate in a demonstration.”
Appiah stressed the importance of recognizing children’s rights to participation, highlighting that such involvement must be appropriate and limited to matters that concern them directly.
The discussion comes in the wake of an incident during the Democracy Hub Demonstration over the weekend, where an elderly woman and her 10-year-old grandchild were allegedly arrested.
Appiah pointed out that while children have the right to express themselves, their participation must be informed and voluntary.
He stated, “A child does have a right to participation, but there is a limit to it,” reiterating that laws stipulate the necessity of obtaining consent from the child involved.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest of the child, Appiah noted that they are yet to confirm whether the child was actually detained.
The case has sparked ebate about the rights of children in public demonstrations and the safeguards needed to ensure their protection in such scenarios.
