Juvenile Justice (Care And Protection Of Children Act) : Strict dos and don'ts spelt out for media
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 24 2012:
Publication of name, address, school, picture or any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of juvenile or child involved in any proceedings under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 is prohibited under Section 21 of the Act.
This was stated by Keisam Pradipkumar, convenor of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) while addressing a press meet at Hotel Imphal today.
Expressing serious concern over the supererogatory exposure of rape victims in print and electronic media, particularly the recent Khoupum rape case, the MACR felt that undesirable disclosure and media exposure should have been censored.
Pradipkumar further said all concerned should respect the privacy of the victims considering the possible negative impacts upon the victims' psyche, social stigmatisation, which can leave a long term psychological trauma and deep scare in the victims' lives.
K Pradip also urged the Government authorities�MACS, Medical dept, RIMS authority, to provide option for HIV testing, counselling and immediate HIV treatment facilities to rape victims in line with facilities provided under Post Exposure Prophylaxis for health care workers available in the hospitals.
He added that compulsory HIV testing for accused rapist should also be formalised.
Further, the MACR also appealed to quash an order which imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 against a child rights activist, Hechin Haokip of Chandel district by Samukon Village Authority, Chandel for filing an FIR to book two culprits who were said to be involved in molesting two girls in May this year.
Pradipkumar also noted that certain customary practices in tribal inhabited region are posing as stumbling block to child rights protection movement in the State.
He further appealed all concerned who used to outrage rape victims by tonsuring, assaulting and parading in public to stop such acts while adding that codified criminal laws supersede customary practices.