HRCM: Better legal framework needed to safeguard rights of children

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has stressed the need to establish a better legal framework to ensure that the children of the country lead a happy and secure life.

The point was made in press statement released by HRCM on Tuesday – Children’s Day.

The commission called for lawmakers to expedite the newly compiled bill on protection of children’s rights and make it law.

“This commission also calls for establishment on guidelines that will guarantee implementation of children’s rights, their protection and education and observance of all international conventions the country is a part of, as well human rights standards,” read the statement.

The Commission said that United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child had taken note of effort put in by the state to improve the lives of children in the country – including participation in various conventions to ensure rights of children, as well as establishment of vital laws.

The UN Committee, too, called for government to expedite the new bill on protection of children’s rights so that the international conventions Maldives has participated in can be fully implemented.

HRCM said that protecting children was not just the responsibility of state, but of parents, guardians, and the society as a whole. And called for all parties to fulfil their responsibility.