ARTICLE - UNICEF ENCOURAGES HAITIAN STATE

UNICEF CONGRATULATES AND ENCOURAGES THE HAITIAN STATE FOR ITS DETERMINATION

(Haiti Libre) - The Week of the Child ended on an encouraging note for the rights of children in Haiti. UNICEF welcomes: the presidential pardon to eighteen children in detention; operation of two freephone numbers for children at risk (511 and 133).

The presidential pardon granted to eighteen children in detention is an important step in the field of juvenile justice, says the UNICEF office in Haiti who wishes that the State promotes alternatives to juvenile detention. Currently, 245 children are still detained in Haiti, or convicted, for the most part, awaiting trial.

"No minor child shall be detained on the eve of the 2015. The willingness of the Haitian President and the act he has just placed with a presidential pardon demonstrate his determination to respect the rights of children," declared Ms. Françoise Gruloos-Ackermans, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.

UNICEF also welcomes the ratification by the Haitian Parliament, of The Hague Convention of 1993 on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in International Adoption. This Convention, already ratified by 80 countries, helps to ensure a set of mechanisms indispensable for the proper functioning of international adoption. Haiti signed the Convention March 2, 2011, it remained to parliament to ratify it, which was made on June 11, 2012.

"This is a historic moment for the country. Haitian law is thus harmonized with international standards contained in the Hague Convention. Haiti needs the support of other signatory countries to develop a system that meets international standards according to the principle of reciprocity (Article 39 of the Convention)," stressed the UNICEF Representative.

Publication of the first book of children's homes presented by the Institute of Welfare and Research (IBESR) puts, finally, in application of Decree Law of 1971. Thus, 725 children's homes are now listed. 372 of them were evaluated according to the minimum standards. But only 9% (67) of these children's homes are accredited. The database has recorded more than 15,000 children, assures them an early protection and gives to them recognition and to their families. "A child is not born to live in institutions, but in his family. If the institution is the ultimate solution, this place must be protective, and the State must take the responsibility," reiterated the UNICEF Representative in Haiti.