Immediately
after the publication of information on violence against children in the Tavush
region of the Republic of Armenia, the Human Rights Defender initiated an
investigation procedure. Comprehensive professional discussions have been taken
place.
As
can be seen from the materials available at the moment, the violence against
children has been continuous. Unfortunately, this case of violence in the
family had a tragic aftermath. A 6-year-old child died at the hospital without
regaining consciousness.
Violence
is a gross violation of a child's rights that can have irreversible and even
tragic consequences for a child's life and health, completely undermining his
healthy development.
Our
state must take all measures to ensure the protection of the child from
violence, whether it is done by the parent, guardian or any other person caring
for the child. The child must be protected from all forms of physical or
psychological violence, including beatings, insults or abuse, mocking or
neglect, ill-treatment or exploitation, etc.
Unfortunately,
violence against the child, and violence in the family in general, are latent.
This is facilitated by stereotypes about this phenomenon both in society and in
public bodies. The state authorities are obliged to make even greater efforts
to combat this reprehensible phenomenon as a priority mission.
The
Defender strongly condemns violence against children, including in the family.
It is more reprehensible when violence is used against children who are more
vulnerable by virtue of their status and have a greater need for protection.
We
must all realize that violence directly undermines family values, violates the
child's right to live in a family, and contradicts the best interest of the
child.
The
situation that exists in the field of the Trusteeship and Custodianship bodies is
very concerning. These bodies are almost ineffective in revealing cases of
domestic violence against children and information about children in difficult
situations.
The
Trusteeship and Custodianship bodies do not have the necessary professional
training to properly perform their function of ensuring child’s rights protection
in the community. The community-level bodies are paramount in ensuring the child’s
rights protection from all forms of violence. This especially refers to the
Trusteeship and Custodianship bodies, whose activities are directly related to
the social, psychological and health well-being of children.
The
Human Rights Defender has always raised the condemnable state of the activities
of the Trusteeship and Custodianship bodies, the absolutely inefficient
performance of their functions, and the dangerous manifestations. This was done
both in the annual reports and in the ad hoc public report on "The
Trusteeship and Custodianship Bodies and Commissions" and through other ways.
In
the field of disclosing and preventing violence against children in the family,
there are both systemic and legislative issues in the investigation of such
cases. Both the practice and the legislation do not allow for the effective
protection of children subjected to violence in the family, full disclosure,
and prevention of possible future cases. It is necessary to improve the rapid
response of law enforcement agencies, as well as to provide them with the
necessary specialization and effective interagency cooperation at the community
level.
Any
investigation in such cases should not be limited to a case-by-case
investigation. The reasons for these actions and the conditions contributing to
them should be thoroughly analyzed in order to take preventive measures, to
improve the system, and exclude violence or such gross violations of rights against
any child or any person in general.
The
Human Rights Defender addressed relevant letters to the RA Prosecutor General’s
Office, RA Police, the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Tavush Regional Administration, the Head
of the Khashtarak community. The Defender will continue to follow the measures taken
by the state with regard to this case, as well as the state of ensuring the
rights of the children.
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