An 11-year-old boy who received death threats after calling for better access to education during the Covid-19 pandemic has been recognised by the UN for his activism.
Francisco Vera is well-known in his native Colombia for his environmental campaigns and defence of children’s rights.
On 15 January he received a death threat from an anonymous Twitter account after posting a video urging the government to improve internet connectivity for children studying online.
Now the UN has hand-delivered a letter to Francisco, congratulating him for his pioneering work in the South American country where it is not uncommon for environmental activists to be killed.
In an interview with the BBC, the school student says he welcomes criticism but that violent threats are unacceptable.
The incident sparked outrage in Colombia, where violence against human rights activists and environmental leaders is on the rise. It also renewed calls for more civility on social media.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
