Date Published: 29 June 2010

New child protection framework adopted in The Republic of Congo

Better protection mechanisms key to stamping out abuse

A new child protection framework has been announced by President Denis Sassou Ngesso of The Republic of Congo. The announcement was made by the Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and Solidarity, Mrs. Emilienne Raoul during celebrations to mark the day of the African Child.

" The child is a precious being that we must protect. Until today, the Congo did not fully recognize in law the special needs and requirements that must be in place to help build a better future for children,” said Mrs. Raoul.
" We hope that this framework will help officials, civil society and communities act against child abuse."

Congo Brazzaville is the fifth French speaking African country to pass such measures for child protection. It is made up of a collection of texts covering all aspects of child protection, including issues concerning children in conflict with the law.

The Republic of the Congo is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1993), the two Optional Protocols and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. With the adoption of the approach comes recognition that the welfare service in the country is weak and will need more funding. Regulation and legislation need to be updated and harmonized.

" This framework will better monitor the violation of children's rights abuses and help to improve the situation to build a protective environment for children,”said Marianne Flach, UNICEF Representative in Congo.
“It is a major breakthrough that opens new perspectives in the protection and realization of children's rights in Congo?.

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. (Statement from unicef.org)

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