Political parties sensitised on child rights
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14, 2012: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has submitted a 12-point charter of demand to all political parties ahead of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections.

The charter of demands pertaining to child rights was submitted to political parties with a view to elicit their commitment on the demands.

The main points of the charter are ending the continuing armed conflict through political means, putting a halt to militarization and scrapping of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1858. Formulation of an employment policy which can cater to maximum number of youths, constitution of an autonomous State Commission of Protection of Child Rights and formulation of State Children Policy which can guarantee right to survival, right to development, right to protection and right to participation were some other points of the charter.

It also demanded that holistic State policy be framed under which all individuals get equal opportunity for economic, social and cultural development.

Extra nutritional support for children living with HIV, proper implementation of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and timely release of funds to children homes were also included in the charter of demands.

Establishment of shelter home and children home exclusively for girls on priority basis in the State, establishment of trauma counselling centres and life skill development centres for childrenvictimized by rape, human trafficking and armed conflict and sufficient provision of potable water and electricity were other demands drawn up by the MACR.

Publicising the charter of demands at Manipur Press Club here today, MACR convenor K Pradipkumar appealed to all political parties to study the issues related with child rights and give their commitment to address them.

MACR senior member AK Sanaton said that Manipur has witnessed Assembly elections nine times.

In all these elections, the issues about denial of fundamental rights to children and violation of children's rights could not pushed as main election agenda.He appealed to the electorates to analyse the pressing issues thoroughly and cast their votes in favour of the candidates who are committed to the cause of people.Earlier, MACR released a poster which highlighted the same charter of demands.

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