CRARN wins International Freedom prize in France

Etim Ekpimah

Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) has won the 2022 International Freedom Prize in Normandy, France.

In a letter by one of the organisers, the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace and signed by its Director, Mr Jonas Bochet, and sent to the head of CRARN, Mr Sam Itauma, the organisers, acknowledged that CRARN won the contest in a landslide victory with 54 per cent of the total votes.

According to the letter, the other two contestants, Theresa Kachindamoto from Malawi and Mohamad Al Jounde from Lebanon secured 30 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, rounding u[ the total votes cast to 7111 by 41 countries.

Itauma said the Freedom Prize online voting is now closed, adding that 7111 young people from 41 countries participated in the online voting.

“It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Child rights and rehabilitation network has been awarded. You are the Freedom Prize 2022! Congratulations, dear Sam Itauma!” the letter read.

Itauma gave details of the votes as Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network: 54%; Theresa Kachindamoto, 30%; Mohamad Al Jounde, 14%, and blank votes, 2%.

He said CRARN has been added to the organisers’ Hall of Fame website, prixliberte.normandie.fr as the 2022 winner of the Freedom Prize.

CRARN has been fighting for the interest of the vulnerable and abandoned children affected by witchcraft stigmatization, especially in Southern Nigeria: the organization also enlightens locals with education.