NGOs CALL FOR ACTION ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

“We are still on a journey to combat injustices against children, such as child pornography, sexual abuse and a juvenile-justice system that does not yet fully meet international standards,” said Jake Lucchi, national advocacy coordinator at World Vision.
“Thailand still lacks a law that specifically defines and punishes child pornography, though children as young as 10 years old can still be held responsible for crimes. Moreover, adults who sexually abuse children can still be released on bail pending trial, giving them the opportunity to continue abusing children or even flee the country. At this stage, our children are not yet enjoying the full protection they deserve,” Lucchi said.
“Even advances in health and education are not accessible to everyone. In most cases, children of migrants and those without Thai identity documents are excluded from low-cost healthcare. They often face difficulties accessing education due to financial pressures, lack of transportation and a shortage of programmes to help them overcome language and cultural barriers,” he added.
Lucchi cited the example of a 10-year-old boy who spends every evening selling flowers to passing cars to help his family earn money. He met Ohm during a recent visit to hilltribe communities in Chiang Mai. His parents do not value education, preferring that their son make an illegal living by selling flowers. The family lacks Thai identity documents and therefore cannot access the Bt30 health scheme that could provide care for Ohm’s ailing younger brother.
“The uncomfortable reality is that Ohm’s story is not unique, but rather representative of the struggles of many of Thailand’s most vulnerable children.”
In three years, migration across borders is expected to increase significantly throughout Southeast Asia, exposing children to greater risk. A number of non-governmental organisations, including World Vision, Plan Thailand, Child Line and the Life Skills Development Foundation, are working together to create change in partnership with government and communities.
Today also marks the 23rd anniversary of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“We recognise that alignment with the CRC and its Optional Protocols on these key issues before 2015 is a key part of spurring progress both at home and throughout the Asean region. This is a prime window of opportunity for the government, in collaboration with civil society, to continue to be a human-rights leader in Asean, serving as an example of good practice in protecting children’s rights for our peers,” Lucchi said. “Last year, a review of Thailand’s performance with regard to the CRC and its earlier Optional Protocols by the United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child raised a number of issues requiring attention".