‘Let Us Pledge To Support Rights Of Children’ -IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 19, 2010 --

On the occasion of UN Universal Children Day, Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council said “let us pledge to recognize the fundamental importance of children to our lives, our families, and our futures. It is a day on which we celebrate the joy and pure delight that children can bring to our communities. It is a day on which we are thankful that in many parts of the world children will have opportunities to fulfill their full potential. For many children, however, the future holds few opportunities and little hope. They are denied access to basic health care and education in a safe and supportive environment. It is the time to join hands to ensure that children have better lives”.

Commemorating Children Day the Goodwill Ambassador said “this day is a chance for all of us to celebrate children because, if we give them the chance, they will become the great leaders of tomorrow. And that responsibility lies in our hands. So I urge everyone to pledge children’s access to education, health care, food, water, and security, so all children can achieve their dreams, irrespective of caste, colour, creed or health.” Dr. Homoud further asserted “no greater gift bestowed upon us than our children; and there is no greater responsibility than to answer their care and protect. Upon us lies the responsibility to put in place policies that will ensure their future.” He went on to say “one of the greatest failings of our society today is that children become victims of violence and are subjected to trafficking and abuse, often at the hands of the very institutions that are meant to protect them.”

Speaking on menace of child labour which adversely affects and jeopardises the growth of children in general Dr. Homoud said that child labor is a grave human rights violation and undermines efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education. “The fight against child labor should be a core commitment of every state’s human rights agenda and needs to be tackled at all levels and through concerted efforts from governments, industry and the international community”, said Dr. Homoud. Speaking further he said IIMSAM propose for a comprehensive approach to the elimination of all forms of child labor with an emphasis on free and universal primary education. Therefore, IIMSAM urges all stakeholders to ratify and implement the relevant ILO Conventions on child labor forthwith. “As we celebrate the Universal Children Day I implore all adults to do something for some child in the community where you live. Let us not do it on one day only but let us help our children by making a commitment to do something good for them every day”, said Dr. Homoud.

Dr. Homoud further said “on this day, IIMSAM urges all states to ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, as well as the UN Convention against Torture and its Optional Protocol. IIMSAM also calls on all states to fully cooperate with the Committee on the Rights of the Child. With the help of these instruments, states shall take all necessary measures to protect our most vulnerable citizens from torture, ill-treatment and other forms of violence and exploitation, to bring the perpetrators to justice and to grant children full reparation, in order to ensure that human rights also are children’s rights”.

He contended “amid the global financial crisis we should not forget that the core Millennium Development Goals is somehow related to children. Almost 6 goals are directly related to welfare of children and we have to ensure that the promises which we have made to this effect are not subject to any more hurdles coming in its way”. Speaking further Dr. Homoud said “issues of children are inextricably linked with the problems that afflict our society at large- problems of gender inequality, social injustice, poverty, hunger and disease. Any society that aspires for the welfare, progress and development of mankind must first work for the well-being of its children”.

children day     Dr. Naseer Homoud     IIMSAM