Jailed kids should be freed [Archives:2005/851/Local News]

SANA'A- The national symposium on releasing jailed kids from prison detention centers was held on Sunday June 12.

Participants in the symposium called for the amendment of some articles of the juvenile care law, with respect to the juvenile age and separating children from adults in prisons.

The symposium, which was organized by the UNESCO in cooperation with some government parties and civil community organizations, stressed on activating the role of the National Network for Child Care and Protection (NNCCP).

The symposium recommended that the NNCCP should be given the entire power to follow up the juvenile issues in prisons, police departments and criminal investigation bureaus.

The symposium recommended the establishment of judicial juvenile protection department at the Ministry of Justice and a general administration for juvenile police at the Ministry of Interior.

Discussions at the event confirmed that child problems are attributed to a number of factors, most prominent of which are quitting schools, the deteriorating living standards, and the rapid change in the lifestyle of people. Such economic and social factors caused gaps and family disintegration, and this had its negative impact on feelings and thoughts of children compelling them to look for alternatives outside their families.

Large numbers of children are found to leave their homes driven by their own desires and needs.
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