EQUALITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research examines the legal and institutional framework for the protection of rights of children with disabilities in Nigeria. The research adopts the doctrinal research method relying on library based materials from secondary sources. It highlights the national, regional and international laws for the protection of their rights in Nigeria such as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Child Rights Act 2003, African Charter on Human and People�s Rights 1981, Convention on the Rights of the Child 1990 and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006 which contains provisions as regards the right to education and the right to health services amongst other rights. The research however finds that despite these provisions, human rights are being violated by the government, private individuals and law enforcement agencies that carry out abuse, discrimination and stigmatization of persons with disabilities. In order to remedy these unfortunate situations, extra-judicial institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission were established so as to enable victims of human rights violations seek proper redress. The research further finds that the effectiveness of such institutions has been hampered by factors such as lack of funding, independence of the body and unqualified personnel amongst other factors. The research therefore recommends that there is a need for greater enforcement regime of the laws containing provisions for human rights protection in Nigeria. The research concludes that human rights violations should not be tolerated in any form and perpetrators of such acts should be properly dealt with.

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urn:uuid:588bc3a5-cb64-4670-bf0b-9eab306dd418