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)