Code on the Rights of the Child drafted for higher protection of Georgian children
The Georgian parliament, UNICEF and EU representatives met in Tbilisi today to discuss the Code on the Rights of the Child.
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With the help of UNICEF the Georgian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee has drafted the Code of the Child to respond to existing challenges in terms of children development and protection.
The draft code has been presented to public today. It will go to parliament for confirmation on 11 February.
Presentation of draft Code on Rights of the Child today - with legislation like this, #Georgia is clearly making the right choice and investing in future generations. Looking forward to its adoption & ambitious implementation! Thanks to @unicefgeorgia @Geoparliament. #EU4Georgia pic.twitter.com/jwR4tT5sTx
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) February 4, 2019
UNICEF Georgia says that the code:
- Protects the child from every form of violence in every situation.
- Creates the integrated system for supporting and protecting the rights of the child.
- Offers family support programs.
- Creates the equal possibilities for every child to use their rights.
- Establishes the multi discipline approach.
- Creates the better potential for child development.
- Ensures the expertise of professionals who work with children in every field.
Head of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee Sophio Kiladze said that the code ensures the welfare and protection of the children in the country.
The state will take the responsibility for the welfare and development of a child if a family fails to do so. Working on the code took two years in which the UNICEF head to Georgia, Ghassan Khalil contributed much,” Kiladze said.
Khalil stated that the code creates the general legal basis to implement the rights of the children that are acknowledged by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and determines the governmental system that ensures well-being and protection for every child.
Violence against children is partially a result of social norms. According to the UNICEFs research, parents often consider children as their property and think they can do whatever they want to her, even use "necessary" corporal punishment. Full research: https://t.co/AtTchfavqD pic.twitter.com/wX3wZOQ4tu
— UNICEF Georgia (@unicefgeorgia) January 28, 2019
In 2017, UNICEF conducted a comprehensive analysis of the national legislation on children and outlined necessity of amending of more than 30 laws,” Khalil said and praised the Georgian parliament for its role in this issue.
The code is a special law which introduces legal grounds, safeguards and guarantees the realisation of rights and freedoms for children. It will guide all state agencies, local governments, other administrative bodies, the Common Courts, public and private organisations and individuals when working with, and making decisions about children, UNICEF Georgia says.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the task of the Georgian leadership is to develop the state policy and provide higher standards for protection of human rights.
The Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, Sophio Kiladze, UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil, EU Ambassador, Carl Harzell and the UNICEF Senior Regional Advisor for Europe and Central Asia, Child Protection, Aaron Greenberg participated in the meeting held in Tbilisi today.
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The Georgian Interior Ministry has reported today that they have sent a bill which provides tougher punishment for sexual crimes against minors to the government for confirmation.
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Georgia’s National Communications Commission has launched an internet quality control tool.
Between September 2018 and April 2019 853 prohibited items have been seized from pupils in different schools of Georgia, the Georgian Ministry of Education told the IPN news agency.
Tbilisi Court of Appeals has ruled that a spouse or parent’s speaking negatively of another parent in the presence of children is psychological violence.
The Georgian parliament has adopted the Code on the Rights of the Child which UNICEF has called a ‘groundbreaking achievement’ and an important landmark for every child in Georgia.UNICEF says that the code which was developed by the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Georgian parliament with their technical support will have a long-lasting effect on the lives of children in Georgia.
The Georgian Ministry of Education in partnership with the Bulgarian government and UNICEF has begun a two-year pilot program for out-of-school children and adolescents to re-enter the formal education system.
A new code of children’s rights has come into force today on September 1 to protect, develop and improve the life of children in Georgia.