The draft law approved by Syrian parliament on child rights aims at enhancing child protection, says Dr. Al-Qash

“ The draft law on Child Rights , which was approved by the Syrian People’s Assembly  [Parliament] on the 15th of last July, comes in response to the National Plan for Child Protection that was approved in 2005 . it  included in its programs the amendment and development of the appropriate legislations for child protection to achieve  the best objective conditions for child’s development” , according to  Head  of the Syrian Commission for Family  Affairs, Dr. Akram Al-Qash.

Dr. Al-Qash declared in a report recently by the Syrian News Agency ( SANA)  that the draft law contributes to strengthening the legal system in the field of child protection in Syria , stressing that it  is of great importance as it targets the children  age category  from birth to 18 years, which constitutes about half of the Syrian population.

He added the draft law  also directs legislative policies related to child protection and is a reference to the  government institutions and NGOs working in  the field of child protection.

The draft law  is in line with the UN  Convention on the Rights of the Child

Dr. Al-Qash pointed out that the draft law is consistent with the United Nations  Convention on the Rights of the Child ( UNCRC), which Syria was one of the first countries to sign in 1993 and ratified the two optional protocols later in 2008.

He clarified that one of the draft law’s articles provided for forming  a national committee whose mission is to follow up the implementation of the law with the concerned authorities through specific procedures and policies and working out  proposals to develop community work with children.

Dr. Al-Qash   pointed out  that working out  the draft law began in 2005 and stopped due to the circumstances of the terrorist war on Syria, while the current situation necessitates completing it as soon as possible.

Al-Qash said “During the terrorist war on Syria , a number of issues concerning  child care and protection emerged, and the draft law took this into account within specific articles which  emphasize  the  protection of the child.”

Regarding the articles of  the draft law, Dr. Al-Qash  clarified  that  it focused on different aspects  related to education, culture, participation, expression of opinion and joining  associations.

Focus on the rights of children with disabilities as well as their rights like other children

The draft law, according to Dr. Al-Qash  , focused on the rights of children with disabilities in addition to their rights like other children, to which is added protection from disability and integration into society in terms of education or the labor market later.

 “the issuance of the draft law will reflect on the future of the child, especially as it focuses on the fact that the family is the most important  social environment for the development of the child and will also enhance the indicators of the childhood file in Syria,  as it submits a periodic report to the United Nations on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Rawaa Ghanam