Foundation partners ex-ICC chief on rights of sexually abused persons

To secure justice for victims of child sexual exploitation in the country and across Africa, a Nigerian international non-governmental organisation, Jose Foundation has canvassed the support of former president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Prof. Song Sang-Hyun, to that effect.

A statement signed by the foundation’s president, Prince Martins Abhulimhen, said the experience of the law professor would come in handy in helping the group to get justice for atrocities committed against African children at the world court.

Abhulimhen said its discussion with the ex-ICC chief was centred on sexual exploitation of children and women in the world, with special focus on cases in Africa and Nigeria in particular.

“Our discussions centred on sexual exploitation of children and women globally with particular reference to the cases reported in Nigeria and the planned CSE workshop billed for Abuja, and how creating awareness would help stop another child from been exploited.

“I did ask him how victims can approach the ICC for justice if their countries are not taking the matter seriously,” he said.

He also stated that the ICC now has victims’ inclusive approach to get justice where there is negligence in their home country.

Abhulimhen added that Sang-Hyun, who is now the president of UNICEF in South Korea, stated that the atrocities of the Korean war of the 1950s propelled him to study law in order to bring justice to all mankind and to strive to avoid conflict and its brutalities.
The foundation boss further explained that as a child in 1950, the retired juror said he saw the ugly side of war and violence, and that is why seeking justice and human rights has occupied his mind for decades.

The foundation has already received the nod of the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs And Social Development, to submit a draft programme of event of the planned workshop/seminar on child sexual exploitation to be held in Abuja.

Along with its partners in the United Kingdom, the foundation would at the Abuja event, educate stakeholders on how to tackle the menace of child sexual exploitation.