HRCM: Legislature on juvenile justice, child rights need to be expedited

Human Right Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has appealed to the Parliament to expedite the Juvenile Justice Bill and Child Rights Bill which are currently in the draft stage.

HRCM stressed the importance of expediting the legislatures in its press statement on occasion of Child Abuse Presentation Day being marked this Monday.

In its statement, the HRCM noted that 50 percent of the cases filed with Ministry of Gender and Family until end of September are cases of child abuse.

It said that statistics by HRCM and Ministry of Gender and Family reveal a pattern of negligence by families, society, and several State agencies in cases of physical, sexual and psychological abuse of children.

“Therefore, the Bill on Rights of Children and the Juvenile Justice Bill which are currently in the draft stage needs to be expedited immediately in order to stop child abuse and establish a safe environment for victims of child abuse. And relevant authorities need to establish an efficient legal structure at child centers run by the State and establish related procedures,” wrote HRCM in its press release.

The commission also stressed the importance of establishing an effective system to provide psychiatric care to victims of child abuse, improving the current juvenile justice system, establishing an effective and sustainable rehabilitation system for juvenile offenders.

HRCM has appealed to all relevant State agencies, NGOs and media to widen its role and improve its services in order to stop child abuse in Maldives.