- In the debate on the political and economic crisis in Venezuela, the best interests of children must be weighed.
Within the framework of the 47th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) held in Cancun, Mexico; REDLAMYC Latin American and Caribbean Network for the defense of the rights of children and adolescents, called on member states to act to stop the high rates of violence experienced by girls, boys and adolescents in the region.
Regarding the situation in the State of Venezuela, he indicated that it is urgent that the state allow humanitarian aid with food and medicine for children and adolescents. Especially those far from urban areas and members of highly excluded groups.
In his message, Juan Martín Pérez García, Executive Secretary of this network of networks, highlighted that generalized violence represents one of the biggest problems in Latin America and the Caribbean.[1]Some of its expressions are domestic and sexual violence, forced migration, forced disappearances, human trafficking, corruption, and impunity.
He pointed out child migration as one of the concerns, since migratory status places girls, boys and adolescents in a position of vulnerability who face multiple risks such as: robbery, kidnapping, sexual abuse, homicide, organ trafficking, sexual and labor exploitation.
He recognized that, although progress has been made in the legislative field with the National Systems for the Comprehensive Protection of Girls, Boys and Adolescents, these "They have not managed to have either the budget or the political force to achieve their tasks, hence we want to encourage them to put significant effort into it."
On the other hand, in the face of security policies, it is estimated that in Latin America and the Caribbean more than two million girls, boys and adolescents have their mother, father deprived of liberty, therefore, they live in a situation of vulnerability that must be served by the States.
Another challenge is providing quality early childhood care and services. According to Pérez García "Many studies that show us the important value of supporting the development of children in the first thousand days of life and unfortunately it is not something that is present in our region."
Another crisis is linked to dropping out of school, an example of the seriousness of the situation is that more than half of 17-year-old adolescents are out of school. This requires guaranteeing complete and successful trajectories, and not just access or coverage. Otherwise "We condemn this segment of the population to precarious jobs and inherit poverty."
Among the serious setbacks in the region are the reform processes to reduce the age of criminal responsibility and increase the penalties of deprivation of liberty for adolescents in conflict with the law[2]. It is necessary to stop the criminalization of adolescents and particularly those who are poorer. Justice systems for adolescents must be predominantly socio-educational, resocializing and promoting a culture of respect for rights.
It is essential to advance in the promotion of the rights of girls, boys and adolescents and to make the transition and cultural change. Children are not the property of families, they are not the property of communities, they are citizens who require the recognition and listening of each and every State.
Finally, it was invited to strengthen the role of the Inter-American Human Rights System, particularly the Inter-American Commission and its Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child and the Inter-American Institute for Children and Adolescents; as well as to encourage the Assembly to listen to the voice of children and adolescents directly since this is the best way to recognize them as citizens.
[1] The homicide rate is 21.6 per 100,000 people according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC 2014
[2] At the end of 2010, in Panama a reform to the juvenile justice system was approved that lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years of age, and in Costa Rica another that allows the application of adult criminal law, starting from the 15 years old. This year Brazil presented the draft law PEC Law No. 171/1993 on "criminal charge of the minor." The governments of Honduras and Argentina have also raised the issue of lowering the criminal age. Regarding the maximum penalties, in El Salvador the internment measure was increased from 7 to 15 years. In the Dominican Republic, adolescents between 13 and 15 years of age can be punished with 3 and 10 years in prison, and in ages 16 to 17, between 5 and 15 years of imprisonment. Likewise, there are currently similar projects in the legislative bodies of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Media contact: Verónica Morales, Regional Communication Officer #Weaving NetworksChildhood