ZAGREB, Oct 2 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Wednesday endorsed a government-sponsored bill on introducing the institution of the child ombudsman on January 1, 2003, although some opposition deputies expressed concern that the
bill could remain only a dead letter.
ZAGREB, Oct 2 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Wednesday
endorsed a government-sponsored bill on introducing the
institution of the child ombudsman on January 1, 2003, although
some opposition deputies expressed concern that the bill could
remain only a dead letter. #L#
Opposition parties said that children's rights had always been
considered a priority but this did not prevent the reduction of
child and maternity allowances.
Increased domestic and school violence, statistics saying that
every fourth girl and every sixth boy are exposed to some form of
abuse are the key arguments MPs presented in favour of establishing
an independent supervisory body to care about children's rights.
Most deputies estimated that the 3.2 million kuna of budgetary
funds to be allocated for the child ombudsman's work was not
enough.
Under the bill, the child ombudsman would be a separate institution
monitoring the implementation of regulations regarding children,
proposing measures of protection, and mediating in cases related to
children's rights.
(hina) rml sb