NHC contributes to improved child protection in Kyrgyzstan
In recent months, NHC’s financial support to an intensive lobby campaign staged by a coalition of child protection NGOs, including NHC’s project-partner the Child Rights Defenders League of Kyrgyzstan, has strongly impacted upon this milestone decision by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan.
The newly adopted code is likely to result in considerably stronger protection of vulnerable children in Kyrgyzstan. The legislation paves the way for an enhanced judicial authority over decisions on the placement of orphans and abandoned children in state-run child care facilities.
In line with recommendations of United Nations child rights oversight body, the code will lead to better alternatives such as placing these children in foster families. Furthermore, the code will allow authorities more leeway for the prevention of child abuse and the protection of victims. Police will now have the legal tools to quickly intervene in what previously was called the private domain.
The NHC’s involved in the campaign is part of its project Promoting women and child rights-based social and economic policies and strategies in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- For more information, please contact Mr. H. Hulshof.
