Law Event
Urge for children's ombudsman to ensure rights
Speaker at a seminar urged the government to foster and finalise the process of amending the children Act 1974 determining children's age below 18 years. They observed that the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2010, and Anti Trafficking Act 2011, National Children policy 2-11 and several other national policy documents had clearly determined children's age as 18 year. But the Law ministry vetting had slowed the process as the ministry was in favour of keeping children's age below 16 years.
Stressing the need on establishment of children's Ombudsmen, Speakers said that such an institution can increase the political and national attention to children, act as a watch dog and independently monitor children's rights as well as highlight violation of children's rights.
Save the Child jointly with National Human Rights Commission Bangladesh and Child rights Governance Assembly organised the rountable discussion on “Child Rights: Compliance with CRC” on 6 October 2012.
Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Mizanur Rahman graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
He said that Poverty is a relative term for the protection of child rights. But whatever resources we have we need proper and equitable distribution of resources, if this distribution can be ensured then we can have better society, better atmosphere which are essential for our children.
Dr. Rahman stressed on Human rights analysis of our national budget and urge for specific allocation of budget for the protection and promotion of child rights.
Mr. Michael McGrath, Country Director, Save the Children, said that Bangladesh so far has made progress for the protection of child rights though it is a poor country. But he stressed upon the protection of Rohingya Children irrespective of their entrance from ethnic minorities or uncertainties in the legal arena.
Mr. Kazi Reazul Hoque, Chair, Child Rights Committee emphasised on the unique age of defining children as 18 years and minimum age of criminal responsibility as 12 years. In case of petty offences committing at the age 9-12, Local government will monitor until they attain 12 years, he suggested.
Among others Mr. Ranjit Kumer Biswas, secretary, Ministry of social welfare and Mr. Emranul Haq Chowdhury, Convenor Child Rights Governace assembly were also spoke on the occasion.
-From Law Desk.
