THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE DRC

About the Book

THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS IN THE DRC: Current Actions, Failures, and the Path Forward!

By Maître Osserge-Philippe BAHATI TEBUKA

"A child is a vital necessity. The day we stop giving birth is the day we draw closer to our own end."

It is with this poignant plea from both the heart and the mind that the author introduces a vibrant and uncompromising defense of the youth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As a lawyer, humanitarian, and field researcher, Maître Osserge-Philippe BAHATI TEBUKA delivers a masterful assessment of child vulnerability in the DRC. From children displaced by armed conflict to the tragic reality of child soldiers—and including the invisible plight of children falsely accused of witchcraft or marginalized due to disabilities—this book shatters the silence. It exposes the flaws of a system where impunity and a lack of awareness regarding legal frameworks (such as the Child Protection Act of January 10, 2009) remain major obstacles.

Why is this book an indispensable tool?

Far more than a mere critique, this work serves as a practical guide and a code of conduct (Modus Vivendi) for all stakeholders in society. The author meticulously breaks down shared responsibilities:
• The State: Which must urgently transition from theoretical legislation to concrete actions (ensuring the security of exam centers, making free education a reality, and successfully reintegrating demobilized youth).
• Parents: Who are reminded of their crucial role as guides and protectors within a stable family unit.
• Churches, Schools, Hospitals, and Associations: Act as the core pillars of an ecosystem that must unequivocally guarantee every child's fundamental rights to life, health, and quality education.

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Lawyer Osserge-Philippe TEBUKA

Author