Remission proposed for child inmates

Remission proposed for child inmates

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for the Empowerment of Women
Khofifah Indar Parawansa proposed on Wednesday that the
government grant remissions to children being held in juvenile
detention centers nationwide every July 23, when the country
celebrates National Children's Day.

Khofifah said after a meeting with Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri that many of the children were improperly treated
at the detention centers.

"We have sought the advice of the Ministry of Justice and
Human Rights. Like adult inmates who have their sentences cut on
special occasions, the children deserve the same treatment,"
Khofifah said.

Apart from receiving poor treatment, most of the 1,500 child
inmates serve their terms in inappropriate detention centers,
Khofifah added.

The organizing committee for the National Children's Day
celebrations unveiled a plan to hold an auction to raise funds
for the rehabilitation of the Tangerang juvenile detention
center, which is home to some 250 child inmates.

During the meeting, Megawati expressed her intention of
attending the Children's Day celebrations at the Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle. A series of activities, including a morning walk
with children's TV stars, will also mark the event.

Khofifah said her office had set a target of helping 100
children from poor families in every district across the country
to obtain birth certificates free of charge.

"Only 28 percent of our children possess birth certificates,
despite the fact that a birth certificate is a very important
document for a child's future," she said.

A birth certificate is one of requirements for enrolling in a
school or joining the health insurance schemes provided by the
government.

Events held in observance of National Children's Day will be
conducted from July to October nationwide. (dja)