NEWS RELEASE
22 February 2017
Unity of Child Rights Advocates Against Inhumane Treatment and Neglect of Children (UNCHAIN Children) and Salinlahi held a picket noise barrage in front of the House of Representatives (HOR) earlier today to protest moves to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility of children in conflict with the law (CICL). Kharlo Manano, Salinlahi secretary-general said, “We condemn this punitive action of some of the representatives in pursuing the lowering of the MACR of CICL!”
Referring to today's submission of a substitute bill for HB002 in the HOR Sub-committee on Correctional Reforms, Manano lamented, “We fear for the protection of CICL in this kind of fast-tracking of legislative proposals that Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro is doing. He has not thought about the situation of CICL and he has not shown any regard to their impoverished situation which forced them to be involved in petty crimes.”
The group demanded that other representatives not allow the bill into a law. “We strongly urge other representatives to think of Filipino children, to think of their rights and welfare. We strongly urge them and expect them to make a decisive stand leaning towards giving CICL chances of redemption,” Manano explained.
Salinlahi said that the government should focus on addressing poverty, as the main factor behind children’s involvement in crimes. Provide regular jobs with decent wages to their parents and ensure that basic social services are being enjoyed by Filipino families. “CICL should be viewed as victims of societal ills and should not be treated as criminals,” Manano lamented.
The group mentioned that they will remain vigilant of what is happening inside the HOR. “We, together with other child rights advocates and poor communities will proactively hold actions and activities where we can voice out our strong opposition to the lowering of MACR. We shall not let this government punish children,” Manano ended.
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