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  • UNICEF, German Embassy Join Efforts To Improve Monitoring Of Child R

    UNICEF, GERMAN EMBASSY JOIN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MONITORING OF CHILD RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE INSTITUTIONS OF ARMENIA

    http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/02/27/unicef-german-embassy-join-efforts-to-improve-monitoring-of-child-rights-violations-in-residential-care-institutions-of-armenia/
    17:51 27.02.2013

    UNICEF and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany signed today a
    cooperation agreement whereby German Embassy will allocate 65,000 EURO
    to strengthen capacities of Independent Public Group for Monitoring
    of Residential Care Institutions in Armenia.

    "Children living in orphanages and night-care centres as well as those
    attending special schools may be at higher risk of being abused and
    neglected. Recent cases of abuse and violations revealed in some of
    those residential institutions necessitate taking immediate action on
    proper independent monitoring of child rights violations in orphanages,
    night-care centres and special schools, as well as on the status
    of children placed in those institutions," UNICEF Representative in
    Armenia Henriette Ahrens emphasized.

    Independent Public Group for Monitoring of Residential Care
    Institutions was established in 2010 by the Minister of Education
    and Science, following notorious cases of abuse and violence
    in the Nubarashen boarding school for children with intellectual
    disabilities. Supported by the Open Society Institute over the last
    two years the Independent Public Monitoring Group has a mandate to
    monitor special educational institutions of the Ministry of Education
    and Science of Armenia. During the past two years the Independent
    Public Monitoring group conducted visits to 32 special institutions
    and produced two reports, which, however do not provide detailed
    information on child rights violations in those institutions.

    The objective of the current project funded by the German Embassy in
    Armenia and the Open Society Instituteis to improve the situation with
    the child rights protection in special institutions. It is expected
    that the Independent Public Monitoring group will also improve its
    internal regulations, supervisory structures, monitoring methodology,
    mechanisms and tools to exercise better control over monitoring
    and reporting of the results. The transparency of the Independent
    Public Monitoring Group's work will be ensured through regular public
    presentations of the results of the monitoring with participation of
    all stakeholders, including media.

    Apart from special educational institutions placed under the authority
    of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Public Monitoring Group
    will also exercise monitoring over residential care institutions
    (orphanages, night care centres) that are administered by the Ministry
    of Labour and Social Affairs, by establishing cooperation with the
    latter as well as with the Ministry of Territorial Administration.

    "The protection of human rights all over the world is a policy priority
    of the German government. The German Embassy in Yerevan is working
    closely with the Armenian government, the Ombudsman's office, NGOs
    and international organisations in order to meet the challenges for
    the safeguard of human rights in Armenia. Children are an especially
    vulnerable group who need our careful attention in order to avoid any
    abuse or violence and insure an appropriate care and education. We
    trust that our joined efforts in this project will have a tangible
    impact on the protection of children\'s rights in Armenia", Reiner
    Morell, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia,
    explained.

    In Armenia there are approximately 4500 children living in residential
    care institutions. The adverse impacts of institutionalization on
    children have long been proven by researchers around the world. There
    is no independent and periodic monitoring of those institutions and the
    status of children placed there. Ad hoc investigations and monitoring
    are carried out exclusively when cases of abuse, violence or child
    death become public. The placement of children in institutions often
    ignores the principle of the best interest of the child, assessment
    shows. Yet after the placement in an institution the majority of
    children spend their childhood there due to the lack of follow up,
    regular assessments of changing needs of the child and the family
    and limited support provided to families and children by social
    protection services.

    "The Independent Public Monitoring Group should not be seen as
    a response to critical situations in which children living in
    residential care institutions find themselves, but rather should
    serve as a preventive mechanism to stop cases of violence and abuse
    against children and ensure the rights to education and to a family"
    UNICEF Representative in Armenia stressed.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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