![Director of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj - [Photo: Fijian Govt facebook page]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/102705665662be48da39caab9c1c86.jpg)
The recent video which has gone viral, showing two young girls walking on a busy highway after being disallowed to board their school bus in Lautoka for not having their bus cards, is disturbing.
Those are the words of the Director of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj who says bus drivers must show compassion and empathy towards all school children who board their bus with or without a bus card.
The Commission acknowledges the Fiji Bus Operators Association for strongly condemning the inhumane conduct of the bus driver in question.
Raj is urging all key stakeholders – the schools, bus operators and the parents to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all children while in school and after school until they are in the safety of their homes.
He says one can expect children to misplace their cards given that they are children.
The Director says some children may be disabled, on the autism spectrum or generally shy to explain why they don’t have a bus card so the onus is on the bus drivers to ensure these children reach their home safely.
He says drivers can direct their concerns with appropriate authorities so that we have a more effective system in place rather than punishing our children.
Raj says for a bus driver to refuse a child to board the bus especially when the child is not accompanied by his or her parents or guardians is inhumane and such an act must be denounced.
He says these children are particularly vulnerable.
The Director says they could have been kidnapped or physically and sexually abused and simply dumped by the roadside.
Raj stresses that every child has the right to be safe from harm and it is incumbent on all stakeholders to work collaboratively on improving their existing system to ensure that no child is denied space on the bus while travelling to school and back home.
