By Beatrice Oppon
The Supreme Court has directed Child Rights International to file all legal arguments within 14 days in the case, in which the organisation is urging the court to declare the plight of street children in the country as unconstitutional.
The state is to also respond within 14 days after the organisation files its document.
Child Rights International is an NGO committed to the protection of the inherent dignity of children. It is the case of the organisation that the Constitution protects children and therefore allowing them to be victims of streetism is a violation of their right to education, health, human dignity, social and economic rights by government.
It wants the court to declare that government is in breach of some provisions in the Constitution for not taking urgent steps to ensure that children do not engage in work that constitutes a threat to their health, education.
Child Rights International is also praying the court order government to define legal penalties to punish persons who exploit children for begging or other forms of economic exploitation. Additionally, the organisation wants an order directing government to provide rules and procedures for the provision of free basic medical services to poor children, street children or children in emergencies.
The apex court will also determine seven Memoranda of Issues agreed on by both the plaintiff and the state. Some of the issues are whether or not the plaintiff has properly invoked the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and whether or not the reliefs sought by Child Rights International are justifiable.
It will also determine whether the current conditions of children living on the streets violate Article 28 of the Constitution. The case was adjourned sine die.