NGO wants centers for vulnerable children

NGO wants centers for vulnerable children

JAKARTA (JP): The government should establish shelters in
every regency for children needing legal protection, a non-
governmental organization said over the weekend.

A shelter would provide refuge for street children, those who
are neglected and abused by parents and, most importantly, minors
remanded in custody by court decision.

Children in general commit crimes due to economic pressure,
impulse or through wishing to be part of a group, Hindasih
Syafarudin, a member of the Children Protection Team, said.

"We should ask their motivation first before we decide that
they should go on trial," she said. "A foundation for children's
protection would be necessary to do the examination."

Hans E. Kawulusan, another executive of the Children
Protection Team, said protection of children's rights was
important as they were the focus of development and would be
future leaders.

Indonesia is a signatory of the UN convention on children's
rights listing about 30 items, including protection from
discrimination, punishment, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and
the rights to legal assistance.

It states in chapter 42 that every country must foster and
monitor the implementation of the convention. Indonesia has
adapted it into several regulations.

Damanhuri Rosadi, another member of the Children Protection
Team chairperson, said there was still lack of understanding
about children's rights defined under the child welfare law.

"The implementation has not been executed wholly," Damanhuri
said. "Children's rights have not been socially accepted." (09)