IMPHAL, 15th January, 2012: Child rights issues affecting children in the state continue to be conspicuously absent from the pre-election agendas of the various political parties, says CRY – Child Rights and You.
The NGO has compiled a Child Rights manifesto which lists issues affecting children’s lives in Manipur, and has asked all political parties to commit to ensuring a safe and secure social environment, where every child can enjoy a peaceful and healthy life and grow to their full potential. As Manipur heads to the polling booths in a few days, the NGO has intensified its efforts to ensure the rights of children in the state by directly advocating with all political parties themselves.
As with all states that witness turmoil, the children of Manipur have suffered the worst effects of the unrest, even though they are not the obvious targets. Being not in access to quality schooling and education, poor access to basic healthcare and a palpable fear of being kidnapped or trafficked out of the state are just a few of the realities faced by Manipuri children on a daily basis.
While elaborating on the need for a child rights manifesto, Atindranath Das, Director CRY East says, “Children must be viewed as equal citizens, entitled to enjoy equal rights. CRY advocates that all political parties should consider the rights of children; think of them and the promises the state has made to them through the Constitution – that of a life of dignity that must include food, health, shelter, education, protection and play.” According to him, “As Manipur is passing through a phase of turmoil, it is the need of the hour for whichever party comes to power to ensure a conflict-free, safe and protected environment for all children.”
Speaking at a press conference in Imphal today, Ashim Ghosh, senior manager DS, CRY East said, “As in the last Assembly elections in 2007, CRY has been watching the political arena closely, with the hope that children’s issues would be properly reflected in the agenda of the candidates. Unfortunately, we have found that despite the large number of children’s organisations pointing out this noticeable gap, political parties continue to ignore children and the issues that affect them. So we are now going directly to the parties, knocking on doors to remind candidates that the ultimate winners should always be children.”
Child rights can only become central to a state’s political agenda if the people of the state choose to make it priority by ensuing government accountability to actualise the rights of children.
Hence, during this State Assembly Election, CRY – Child Rights and You, seeks to raise public awareness on the state of children in Manipur, and unite people to usher in lasting change in their lives.
CRY calls out to each and every person – the electorate – to hold representatives, contesting candidates, political parties and the policy makers accountable for child rights by demanding specific, non-negotiable entitlements from the government.