Imphal: Children have the same rights as adults and have particular rights that recognize their special need for protection and also that help them to develop their full potential said Dr Najma Heptulla here on Tuesday while attending the 8th Foundation Day celebration of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Children are not helpless objects of charity or property of their parents. They are recognised as human beings and the subjects of their rights. Children should enjoy the basic qualities of life as rights rather than privileges accorded to them, she added.
“Every child, whether a boy or girl, irrespective of age is unique and has value importance as a person with a right for their human dignity to be respected. When we understand and respect children’s dignity, we can create better protection mechanisms and the children themselves can act as active agents in their protection she further said. This helps to develop and build recognition of children as independent bearers of rights with a sense of identity and a positive implication for their self-esteem”, she added.
She collected information about atrocities against children in the state and was shocked that during the last few years, crimes against minor girls like molestation, gang-rape, sexual assault, etc., have been alarmingly increasing in the state.
The number of incidents of atrocities against children has been drastically diminishing during the past few months, she added and said it was due to the relentless efforts made by the Commission with invaluable supports from various civil society organisations and women’s associations as well as the general public.
Exemplary punishment should be awarded to any culprit of crime against children as per law she said.
She asked the Commission to extend all possible assistance from their side to book any culprit so that they are charge-sheeted in the court of law as soon as possible.
Nemcha Kipgen Minister (Social Welfare), Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Sumatibala Ningthoujam, Chairperson, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights also spoke on the occasion.
The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has been rendering yeomen services to oppressed needy children since its inception. The main activities of this Commission are to safeguard the interests of children and to prevent atrocities against children in the State. (UNI)
