A call has been made by a rights group for the Minister of the FCT to retract his statement about arresting beggars in the nation’s capital. The group emphasized that no one should be targeted for their economic circumstances and suggested that the Minister focus on providing support and opportunities for beggars to reintegrate into society.
Reports indicated that during a recent event, the Minister threatened to crack down on beggars in Abuja, expressing concern about the growing number of beggars in the city. The Minister warned that enforcement measures would be taken starting from the following week.
SERAP, in response, urged the Minister to address the socio-economic rights of marginalized individuals in the FCT and highlighted the importance of not criminalizing people for their economic status. The group emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach to help beggars rebuild their lives and be integrated into society while upholding their dignity and rights.
The group urged the Minister to focus on tackling the root causes of poverty and addressing the economic and social rights violations faced by marginalized individuals in Abuja. It stressed the importance of addressing homelessness and poverty without stigmatizing or criminalizing those affected.