Keita (17) wins Children's Peace Prize:

Gepubliceerd op 9 november 2015 om 17:09

He has never been outside of Liberia. Except today. Today, Abraham M. Keita (17) in The Hague to participate in the International Children's reception. "I will never quit this job, because it is so desperately needed."

umcu_0-14.jpgKeita was nine years old when he learned that a girl was raped him away and killed. It was Keita reason, young as he was, to be an activist for the improvement of children's rights in his country.Because demand Keita for more examples of violence against children, and he can list them consecutively.

Like that boy of 15, who was shot last August. Nothing. "There is still no justice for him and his family," says Keita. Which he wants to say: I must continue my support for children who are victims of violence. Always.

Peacefully
Keita, who was nominated along with two other children for the Children, was on his ninth member of the Liberian children's parliament. Liberia is still unstable due to the civil war. "I do my job peacefully," said Keita. "No violence." He organizes peaceful demonstrations and writing petitions. Keita gets peace prize because he has managed to bring more offenders to justice. There is also through his involvement came a Children's law. "The first ever in Liberia."

Sometimes his work is dangerous, says Keita. "Not everyone wants to change things in the country." But Keita is quite used to, does not care about it, is not afraid. He comes from a 'bad neighborhood', a slum. "There is a lot of violence, sexual abuse. The people are poor."

Proud
Keita is therefore never been outside of Liberia. "This is the first time. Netherlands is very expensive," he says laughing. Then, serious again: "I am proud of what I've achieved." Keita won a statuette and will receive a scholarship.

Wednesday he flies back. First to Spain for a summit with Nobel laureates, then returned to Liberia, the country that gave him so badly. "I will not stop until every child, wherever it comes from and how it looks like, will be respected." Or does he think that will happen? "Without a doubt. I have a lot of energy and have clear goals. I just do not give up."

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Facts about Liberia

  • Liberia's civil war lasted 14 years and cost more than 250,000 lives.
  • The war did was arrange for instability about legislation on children.
  • The country, except by the civil war, also hard hit by the Ebola crisis.
  • Nearly half of Liberia's youth is under 15 suffered from physical violence.
  • 13 percent of the Liberian underage girls has had to deal with sexual violence.
  • Of all criminal activity which is notifiable, rape is the most commonly reported.
  • 80 percent of the population in Liberia living below the poverty line.
  • 41 percent of Liberians have not enough food, 13 percent eat only rice, roots and grains.
  • In 2011, a first Liberian law been in effect for children: "Children's law."

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RTL News / ©Kidsrights

 

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