Calls to launch a campaign to protect children: absent laws and failing institutions

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[size=52]Calls to launch a campaign to protect children: absent laws and failing institutions[/size]

[size=45]Childhood in Iraq still lives in a tragic reality, and observers talk about the need to launch a national campaign to save young people from the violations they are subjected to, which took many forms, the most prominent of which is begging and their employment as street vendors.[/size]
[size=45]The official authorities in Iraq confirm that childhood problems are rooted in years of wars and political changes, stressing that their solution needs a period of time and cooperation from all relevant parties.[/size]
[size=45]Parliament is seeking to pass the Child Protection Law amid objections from some political blocs, as the first reading of the draft that was received by the previous government has been completed, and it is awaiting the report of the Child and Family Committee and the amendments and proposals to it.[/size]
[size=45]"The file of violence against children represents a reflection full of bloody events and wars, beginning with the Iran-Iraq war, then the second Gulf war and the economic blockade, ending with the change of the previous regime," said Ghaleb Al-Attiyah, director of the Community Police affiliated with the Ministry of Interior.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Attiyah added, "The terrorism that came after 2003 had a great impact on children and interfered with their education and lessons, and therefore we live as a reflection of the historical events that affected the Iraqis and affected the young people in particular."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, "The Ministry of the Interior, as one of the institutions of the executive authority, is working to implement laws, whether through the police station or the Directorate for Protection of Violence against the Family and Child."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Attiyah noted that “the community police is working to raise awareness to inform children of their rights and educate parents and adults; In order to preserve the young and raise them properly.[/size]
[size=45]He believes that "Iraqi families' acceptance of the idea of ​​not abusing their children is not at the required level, and violence has become deeply rooted in the psyche of Iraqi society as a result of historical aspects."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Attiyah spoke of "the need for years of joint work and a strategic plan in order to make a comprehensive change in this regard, as change cannot happen overnight."[/size]
[size=45]He stressed that "dealing with the file of childhood and limiting violations against young people is a matter in which all ministries, institutions, media, civil society organizations and activists participate."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Attiyah concluded, "Violence has multiple forms, some of which are within the same family and others outside it, when parents push their children to attack others.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, the former deputy, Nada al-Jubouri, stated that "Iraq was supposed to have children living in it in a better condition, given that it has a solid legal system."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Jubouri added, "The current situation of children can be seen by simply roaming the streets, where we see a large number of either peddlers or beggars."[/size]
[size=45]And she explained, "The Iraqi constitution guarantees, in Articles 29 and 30, the protection of childhood and the protection of the family, and its main pillar is the young."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Jubouri pointed out, "There is a great deal of neglect of this file at the governmental and legislative levels, as everyone has been negligent during the past years in providing protection for the Iraqi child."[/size]
[size=45]And you find that «the main problem is not related to the lack of legislation only, because today we need a national campaign to save the children in Iraq».[/size]
[size=45]Al-Jubouri said, "This campaign begins with legislation, by enacting a child protection law, and then moves to the executive side, as well as activating international agreements ratified by Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]She pointed out that "Iraq ratified the Child Convention in 1989, and it entered into force the following year, while the two additional protocols were ratified in 2000, which prevent the use of children in armed conflicts and sexual exploitation."[/size]
[size=45]And Al-Jubouri added, "The current draft of the Child Protection Law has had its first reading, and we have objections to it, and we are working on preparing recommendations regarding it through cooperation with Parliament."[/size]
[size=45]For his part, legal researcher Haider Al-Soufi stated that the legislative system in Iraq for children is integrated, because we are bound by child protection agreements.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sufi continued, "The last agreements that Iraq joined in this regard were in 2007, according to which a law was issued by the House of Representatives carrying No. (22) for the year 2007."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed to other laws, including the Ministry of Labor Law, the Juvenile Welfare Law, the Penal Code, the Social Security Law, and the Social Protection Law.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sufi believes that "this legal system covered all aspects of child protection," stressing that "the problem appears from an economic point of view, in addition to social disintegration."[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "The state institutions concerned with child care and protection, preventing violence against him and banning his employment, are remiss in their work, as there are important laws in force, but they have not found their way to implementation until now."[/size]
[size=45]And Al-Sufi continues, “The importance of the existence of laws comes from their application. If the state institutions, especially in the Ministry of Labor and its affiliated departments, had fulfilled their duties perfectly, we would have reached a much better solution than we are currently.”[/size]
[size=45]He called for "activating these laws through their application, and it is the responsibility of the executive authorities, each according to its competence concerned with children's affairs in Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Sufi added, "The Iraqi constitution guarantees the protection of the child and the prevention of abuse or abuse against him, and preserves his various rights from loss."[/size]
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