Activists for functional commission
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 20 2011:
Former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba and former Social Welfare Director Sarat Sharma have appealed to all concerned to make the proposed Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights fully functional which can deliver its purposes and objectives and protect the rights of children.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Yambem Laba appealed to the authorities concerned to make the proposed Commission a healthy and operational one which has its own infrastructure and budget unlike Manipur State Human Rights Commission or the Manipur State Commission for Women.
There are many cases of violation of child rights in Manipur and they are not limited to employment of children in hotels, workshops or private houses.
Denying benefits of children welfare programmes, denying education facilities to children, forcing children into insurgency, abuse of funds sanctioned for children, violation of rights of the children victimised by ethnic conflicts are many facets of violation of child rights, said Yambem Laba.
The situation demands a fully operational Commission which can address the multiple issues, problems and requirements of children.
He also appealed to the authorities concerned to appoint Chairperson and Members of the proposed Commission sans political influence and corruption.
Sarat Sharma said that the Centre has been suggesting the State Government to set up a Commission for children in Manipur.
Accordingly, the State Cabinet on November 16 resolved to set up a Commission for children in the State.
He appealed to the Government to issue due notification at the earliest and also to install necessary infrastructure and set aside a budget for the Commission.
Wide Angle secretary Montu Ahanthem said that the proposed Commission should first ascertain whether or not the benefits of the Right to Education Act 2007 have reached children of the State.
The SPF Cabinet had earlier decided to set up a Commission on Protection of Child Rights.