Students of the Kingston High School in downtown Kingston assembled in the school’s auditorium recently to join the rest of the world in observing International Human Rights Day.

The event was organised by RISE Life Management Services under its European Union (EU)-Funded “Finding My Voice — National Programme on the prevention of child abuse”, which has been heightening awareness among women and children on their human rights, sexual abuse prevention education, as well as counselling.

A video presentation on Human Rights was shown to the students, which expanded on the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights& Freedoms, which included: the right to freedom from discrimination; the right to equality before the law; the right to freedom of movement; and to enjoy a healthy and productive environment free from threat of injury and abuse as well as the right to freedom of religion, among others.

Shawn McGregor, programme manager of RISE who addressed the students, pointed out to them that with rights come responsibilities. “It is your responsibility as citizens to play an active role in the affairs of your country, by speaking up if you feel that you or anyone’s rights are being abused…. You have a right to be protected and provided for, and to enjoy each and every right in the constitution.”

He also urged the children to report incidences of abuse, whether to a parent, family member, teacher, social worker or friend, as their silence would allow the perpetrators to continue their acts of abuse.