Enough is said about the commercialisation of the Christmas festivities. Christmas celebrations have lost their true meaning and Christian significance. Our profane decorations and partying took precedence over the commemoration of the birth of baby Jesus. Rather than renewing our religious beliefs and spiritual faith in Lord Jesus, we just celebrate Christmas as a prelude to the end of another year. We reflect on the past year and try to come up with New Year's resolutions. At least we still consider Christmas as the ideal time to promote peace among the nations, to encourage unity among our families and to instil real happiness among our innocent children.
Our children do need such happiness. Unfortunately, in today's world children are already suffering from the ills of modern society. If there is a gift we should give to our young generation this Christmas it should be a thorough evaluation of the current status of children's rights and a resolution to commit ourselves towards giving our children a future of hope, respect and true happiness.
The global scandal of violence against children is a horror story too often untold. With malice and clear intent, violence is used against the members of society least able to protect themselves - children in school, in orphanages, on the street, in refugee camps and war zones, in detention, and in fields and factories. In every region of the world, in almost every aspect of their lives, children are subject to unconscionable violence, most often perpetrated by the very individuals charged with their safety and well-being.
Millions of young boys and girls have no access to education, work long hours under hazardous conditions, are forced to become soldiers, or languish in orphanages or detention centres where they endure inhumane conditions and daily assaults on their dignity.
These abuses persist because children have few mechanisms for reporting violence and other human rights violations. They may be reluctant to speak out for fear of reprisals. And because they are children, their complaints are often not taken seriously. Even when children do make reports or abuse is exposed, perpetrators are rarely investigated or prosecuted. Those in a position to take action may be reluctant to prosecute out of fear of negative publicity.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees children the right to be free from discrimination, to be protected in armed conflicts, to be protected from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, to be free from arbitrary deprivation of liberty, to receive age-appropriate treatment in the justice system, and to be free from economic exploitation and other abuses, among other rights.
Achieving these rights remains a challenge. Governments must take stronger action to implement the convention's provisions and fulfil their promises to the children of the world.
It was reported lately that, in the US, there were three million reports of child abuse and neglect; nearly one million children confirmed victims of abuse and neglect and about 1,500 deaths caused by child abuse or neglect. That is only the tip of the iceberg.
Fortunately, in our country, this phenomenon has not reached alarming levels. However, we cannot ignore the devastating stories that we came across recently concerning forms of abuse on our children. Neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional maltreatment and psychological violence are not uncommon in Malta. The media only reports cases that are referred to our law courts.
But it is a known fact that the number of children who are victims of paedophilia, sexual abuse, pornography and neglect is much bigger than what we would imagine. Our social welfare agencies would depict a clearer picture of the situation should they decide to collectively publish their records of child abuse on annual basis.
The setting up of the independent state institution - the Commissioner for Children - way back in 2003 was a qualitative leap forward in safeguarding our children's rights.
However, after three whole years in operation this office needs some form of reinforcement to ensure a better understanding of its raison d'etre by the public in general and the children in particular. Notwithstanding the initiatives and projects taken so far by this office, the role of the Commissioner for Children is perceived as another government department that compiles reports, organises school visits and holds seminars every now and then. Its effectiveness and commitment towards society at large has not yet yielded the desired results.
The next annual report the Commissioner for Children is obliged to present to the minister, within six weeks from the end of the calendar year, should include recommendations as to how this office shall better provide its services to our children in the form of ongoing protection and participation of minors throughout the new year.
It would be the best gift for our children and a tangible resolution for next year. The commissioner's contribution is surely a valuable representation of the adult generation that professes its respect towards human rights. It is also the voice of our children, especially those who are weak and who, without our knowledge, are suffering from abuse and indignity!
matyas@maltanet.net