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