Thirteen members of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) were officially sworn in last Friday by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President.
The Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) said in a release that the members are Kaloutie Nauth, Yvonne Fox, Sarojanie Rambarran, Aleema Nasir, Colleen Anthony, Michelle Kalamandeen, Suelle Findlay-Williams, Sandra Hooper, Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Banmattie Ram, Kwame Mc Coy and Shirley Ferguson.
It replaces its predecessor the National Commission for Survival, Protection and Development of Children of 1993 which was chaired by former President Janet Jagan.
After congratulating the new nominees, President Jagdeo told them of the very important positions which they have assumed. The Head of State was quoted as saying: “Our children are important to the future of this country not in just a clichéd manner that is oftentimes represented, but in a real sense. Our society will become whatever we instill in our children.”
He noted, however, that while children have the right to the best service and attention, the demands for these services often outweigh the resources available, a challenge which he urged the commissioners to be prepared to confront.
And while focusing on Government’s legislative framework for children, Jagdeo pointed to the Child Care and Protection Agency Bill that was passed earlier this year, the Protection of Children Bill, which was passed on May 7, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of Children Bill which he said will soon be debated in Parliament.
Also in the making, the GINA release stated, are the Child Care and Development Services Bill and the Custody Guardianship Maintenance and Access Bill, both of which are being drafted and the Juvenile Justice Bill which the President said is undergoing consultations but will update the outdated juvenile justice laws.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo disclosed that Cabinet has given approval for the establishment of a family court. Even before this facility is established, he has requested that the process should commence.
He said there are several children who are in foster care environments but need to be reintegrated into homes where they can receive the love of the family.
