Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

The interest of the child must hold precedence over other important state goals, assessed the Ombudsman Saša Janković and the Deputy Ombudsman for the Rights of the Child and Gender Equality Gordana Stevanović on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day, 20 November. This year the Ombudsman issued over 180 recommendations aimed at eliminating omissions in the protection of children from violence and the protection of the rights of the child.

Janković and Stevanović congratulated children on their day. They “remind state bodies and state organizations that there can be no compromise in making use of, and protecting the rights of the child, and that the best interests of the child must hold precedence over other important state goals”, as stated in the announcement by the Ombudsman.

Although the legislative framework for making use of, and protecting the rights of the child was improved during recent years, the status of the rights of the child is still marked by an underdeveloped system of prevention and protection of children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, a low level of child participation, underrepresented healthcare and social protection, education of insufficient quality and a high level of violence in schools, as well as numerous forms of violations of the rights of the child to dignity and privacy in media reporting.

The austerity measures introduced for the economic recovery of the country led to the termination of certain services intended for children and placed additional burden on the status of children and families, as well as children requiring support, reminds the Ombudsman.

Source: Beta, taken from www.euractiv.rs