“Ensure Right of Safety for Children”- IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud

June 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Observing the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “children around the world continue to be victimized by conflict and violence, as was revealed by the report from UN Secretary General Office released in 2006 and other subsequent reports. Recruitment of child soldiers, trafficking, and detention of minors are just a few of the mechanisms through which children are exposed to torture and ill-treatment. Moreover, children of parents or other family members who have been subjected to torture suffer as secondary victims as they experience one or more of their loved-ones becoming introverted, depressed and aggressive”.

The United Nations International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4 every year, to acknowledge the pain and agony suffered by children throughout the world who are victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. It is a time for individual and other organizations all across the globe to become aware of the impact of monstrosity of abuse, in all its forms, against children. The world recognizes that children are entitled to special care and assistance, and as stated in a preamble of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, “for their full and harmonious development, they are entitled to grow up in a family environment, and in an atmosphere of love, happiness, and understanding”.

Approximately more than 50 million uprooted people around the world are refugees who have sought safety in another country, and people displaced within their own country. “Around half of this displaced population is children and with this ongoing phenomenon how can we dream for a society where rights of our future assets- children are ensured” asked Dr. Homoud. He further added “it is estimated that 300,000 youths and girls currently are serving as child soldiers around the world and majority of them are less than 10 years old and to worst many girl soldiers are forced into different forms of sexual slavery. Governments must ensure implementations of provisions of 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child which is the most important legal framework for the protection of children”.

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression celebrates the millions of individuals and organizations working to protect and preserve the rights of children and to this end efforts must be channelized to ensure right of safety for children, urged Dr. Homoud. “It is also a time when organizations and individuals learn from or take part in awareness campaigns centered on protecting children’s rights” added Dr. Homoud.

“Governments must work upon various initiatives to elaborate policies conducive to creating an environment for the survival, development, protection and participation of children and women. Those initiatives provided the necessary impetus for the smooth implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child” urged Dr. Homoud.  He added “If wars and violence sparked by greed and hatred continued, one might think that world leaders were children’s true enemies. Indeed, war had killed many more people than disease. International actors must commit to replace the greed in their hearts with a love for humanity. That would be the most effective way to make a better world for our children”. Dr. Homoud further contended that since peace was synonymous with development which enabled children to develop, it was the responsibility of leaders to protect children from the horrors of armed conflict. In many developing countries, the servicing of the external debt overshadowed the provision of basic social services. “Undoubtedly, in poor countries children are hardest hit and world has to find solutions for this catastrophe under any adverse circumstances”, he added.

“The facts are glaring enough and humanity is organizing as never before to put children first in the process of building a better world. Child abuse is now in the focus of global attention and much is being done to protect the rights of children. If we are to succeed in giving the millions of children who are victims of aggression the support to live in dignity and security, it is imperative that we rededicate ourselves to affirming our commitment to protect the rights of children, especially those who have gone through the fear of aggression and uncertainty” said Dr. Homoud.

While highlighting the work of IIMSAM in Kenya, Haiti and other affected regions under able and visionary guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM, Dr. Homoud said “IIMSAM through its camps basically meant for supplying Spirulina also provides family violence prevention services to assist those with violence or abuse in their relationships. At IIMSAM camps we take care, through proper guidance and counseling, that child who are suffering from malnutrition and hunger does not adhere to any violent measure to meet their basic amenities”.

While concluding his address on the occasion Dr. Homoud said “today I pay special tribute to all key government and non-governmental agencies involved in supporting child abuse prevention initiatives and in providing basic amenities. As a community, however, we need to be very sensitive to the fact that these institutional efforts in protecting children are extremely important but by themselves not sufficient. Everyone must take personal responsibility for monitoring the environment for violent and abusive behavior against children and to ensure that their rights are not jeopardized. This is our responsibility and we must by our daily commitment promise our children to guard their right to be protected”.