Minister of Justice Phayvy Sibualipha introduced to members of the National Assembly at their ongoing 5th Ordinary Session amendments to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children.
“Once approved and endorsed, the revised law will serve as a key reference and help children with special needs and encourage them to exert their rights in the current context. In addition, it will become a fundamental tool for establishing and managing child-related funds,” Minister Phayvy Sibualipha told the meeting this morning.
Over the last years, the law has granted children more rights and interests, and promoted their livelihood, participation, development and protection, according to the minister.
Mr Phayvy justified the amendments to the law by claiming that the current law fails to define in details the establishment of child-related funds, and that they are yet prove to be implementable.
He pointed out problems on family registration, especially on giving names to abandoned children saying that the current law doesn’t determine which parties will be responsible for handling the problems, consequently many abandoned children have been left unlisted in the family register, or birth register.
“In addition, it doesn’t identify choices with respect to taking care of children with special needs. As a result it is difficult to take care of them. Data on child protection and the assistance they deserve are yet to be centralized, as a result it is difficult to devise strategies, plans and programmes on the protection of child rights and interests. And punishment against crimes is yet to be properly defined,” said Minister Phayvy Sibualipha.
Source: Lao News Agency