In workshop on recommendations of International Committee for Children Rights,Violations of children rights [Archives:2005/880/Local News]
Hassan Al-Zaidi
SANA'A – 20Sept. – Last Monday the supreme council for Motherhood and Childhood, organized a work shop to follow up Yemen's third periodical report on the execution of recommendations of the international Committee for Children Rights. The workshop was made in cooperation with the Swedish organization for children care and UNISEF.
Dr. Nafisa Aljaefi, managing Director of the Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood displayed the challenges that faced execution of children's rights treaty. She said that children's courts were established, besides national committees for combat of violence against children and protection for children living in the street.
Children services and protection programs that include school, healthcare and social service centers are also reviewed. Dr. Aljaefi said that a new database is going to be established on children's conditions to spread information on children's rights. She also said that the level of media coverage on this issue is far too low.
Dr. Nafisa added that it is a major challenge to fight issues as poverty increase and the meager help that is presented by the state and the government and the international organizations. confirming that media amount of coverage is very little. The vast geographical nature of Yemen contributes to impeding children rights and the Yemeni private sector has limited effort to invest in children recreation.
The workshop interviewed the International children's rights recommendations. The organization recommended that Yemen should take rapid measures to preserve children rights. They also called that priority should be given to the raising of the penalty age.
Mr. Waleed Albasheer addressed the meeting on behalf of the UNISEF and the Swedish children care organization. He confirmed that achievements that were accomplished due to the joint efforts with Yemeni authorities. He said that there is still a lack of information on children's conditions and measures should be taken to overcome some problems. He added that there should plans to carry out these international recommendations, for the huge focus it is receiving. Several workshops and symposiums were held on this matter and solutions were recommended. He assured that the UNISEF and the Swedish organization will be supportive of the High Council for Motherhood and Childhood in organizing a joint plan that he wished the workshop will adopt.
A child read the recommendations of the fifth session of the Child Parliament. Most important among these decisions are those that call for the importance of forming sponsor- committees in the governorates that are connected to an emergency health office that reports serious child diseases rapidly. It also reports violations against children. The recommendations also suggested punishments against parents that get their children involved in armed conflicts.
The Parliamentary human rights committee's recommendations also demanded legal measures against security men who refuse to release imprisoned children in spite of the President's directions or who ordered the use of ammunition against demonstrators that killed a number of children. There was also a recommendation on raising public awareness against sexual assault. A call for furnishing free school uniform was also is recommended.
Mr. Abullah Abo Halifa head of the legislative committee in the council, confirmed their support to all the legal measures that are to be taken to deal with child affairs. They will see to it that financial and personal items are catered for.
Yemen children suffer deterioration in their educational, health conditions. Epidemic diseases are prevailing among the children especially in remote areas without proper carefrom the concerned authorities.
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