The People's Advocate, Hilmi Jashari, on International Children's Day, drew attention to the protection and respect of children's rights.
He has said that the healthy development of children is essential for the future well-being of any society.
"This day offers each of us an opportunity to reflect on the state of affairs and our actions to protect, promote and celebrate children's rights. Children's rights constitute an integral part of human rights. Therefore, it is important that children have all possible means at their disposal not only to survive, but also to achieve their maximum potential. Despite this, even this June finds children struggling to fully enjoy their rights in almost all areas of life," he said.
According to him, the situation created by the global COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the shortcomings in the realization of these rights and has deepened existing inequalities.
He says the socio-economic effects of the virus and the measures taken to control the pandemic have impacted children's survival and health, safety, learning, and potentially the risk of poverty.
“These effects, in interaction with other factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability and economic status, have had different impacts on children. One example was the shift from in-school to online learning, where it was seen that many children did not have access to technological devices and the internet, especially Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian children and children with disabilities. Especially for children with disabilities, this access was more difficult as there were no curricula appropriate to their needs,” he said.
In general, according to him, during this time, difficulties have been observed in children's access to education, social and health services, and domestic violence has increased, and consequently violence against children.
Jashari says that a life free from violence, in addition to being a fundamental right, is also a necessary prerequisite for the well-being and physical and mental health of the child.
"Furthermore, restrictions on routine living as well as psychosocial stress caused by confinement at home or isolation have affected children's mental health. This pandemic has highlighted more than ever the importance of mental health programs and access of all children to psychosocial services. Of course, adults in fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities towards children must include the child's voice and point of view in accordance with the gradual development of his/her abilities," he said.
Children's Day is celebrated on June 1 every year by many countries around the world and was declared International Children's Day at the World Conference on Children's Welfare in 1925, in Geneva, Switzerland. On that day, 54 participating states adopted the Geneva Declaration on the Protection of Children.