Child Protection
ISSUE The Islamic Republic of Iran ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1994 with general reservations and has reported twice to the CRC Committee. In 2005, the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography was submitted to the Parliament. In addition, a law was adopted on human trafficking, specifying that trafficking of persons under 18 will be punishable by the maximum penalty. As part of its work to develop an environment where the rights of all children are protected, UNICEF advocates for the adoption of a bill on juvenile justice, submitted to the Parliament at the beginning of 2004. The bill authorizes judges to avoid capital punishment for juveniles and promotes alternative sentencing. ACTION UNICEF Iran agreed with the Government on a Country Programme of Cooperation for the period 2005-2009, which includes developing the child rights capacity of local authorities, judiciary and law enforcement officials. It also includes legal reform, developing a national policy against child abuse and developing a code of conduct for teachers, social workers and health workers dealing with children. The acceptance that children should actively and fully participate in development is advocated. UNICEF is supporting training for police, judges, social workers and employees of prisons and juvenile correction and rehabilitation centres on the CRC and best practices in juvenile justice. As a result of the training administered so far, police and judges are increasingly using diversionary mechanisms. A national seminar was jointly organized by UNICEF and the Judiciary in 2005 to familiarize decision makers and officials with the principles of a Protective Environment for Children. A workshop was held to initiate the drafting of a national policy on the prevention and management of child abuse. A communication campaign, including TV episodes, short films, brochures and short stories, is being developed with the aim of enhancing family relationships and parent-child communication. Health workers are also being trained on the detection of child abuse.
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