Inquiry commission assures that child rights violations are being probed

The Presidential Inquiry Commission on Child Rights Violations has revealed that work is underway to individually investigate cases of negligence against child rights.

Since its establishment in February 2020 as per the Presidential Decree 1/2020, the commission has formulated a work plan that details how they wish to carry out their proceedings and operations.

Under the work plan, the commission has so far held meetings with seven relevant stakeholders and discussed the commission’s work alongside the challenges surfacing for said institutions to carry out their responsibilities.

A statement by the commission reads that commission members have paid visits to four institutions that shelter children under state care, to observe the condition and proceedings at these shelters.

As such, the commission observed several discrepancies at the Children’s Shelter “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa” during a visit on 10 and 11 March. As such, the commission noted recklessness in the maintenance, cleanliness, security as well as services provided to children at the shelter.

The commission has since compiled a report in order to ensure the shelter reforms their maintenance so as to ensure adequate services are provided there. The report will be shared with relevant stakeholders, noted the commission.

While a preliminary report on the shelter has been shared with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the commission has been reassured by the president that points noted in the report will be enforced.

The inquiry commission is also conducting investigations into cases regarding guidelines to be followed by institutions regarding cases involving children, standard operating procedures as well as protocols that are to be followed.

In addition, the commission has expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation extended to the commission’s work by state institutions, adding that details will be shared as their work goes on.

President Solih established the commission to safeguard and ensure the protection of children’s rights and to expedite systematic efforts of rectification.

It is tasked with looking into actions and assessing the current situation of all cases handled by state institutions that are mandated to ensure child rights are protected. This includes cases of violence, neglect, abuse and cruelty against children. It is also tasked to identify and analyze the root causes of violations against children, age groups of perpetrators, socio-economic factors, crime rates and most importantly, accountability of state institutions in undertaking their responsibility.