Each country should have children's ombudsman
Each country should have a defender of children - ombudsman. The conclusion was reached during a Yerevan-hosted regional conference on the rights of most vulnerable children.
"Everyone says that they are well aware of children's rights but on one can cite any of them," said Mary Lugarich, Chairwoman of the Executive Committee of the National Group of Inter-Parliamentary Union of Croatia.
"Reports of children's ombudsmen differ from others; they contain pictures and letters by children. This is an excellent opportunity for politicians to hear the voice of children," she said.
The institute of children's ombudsman was first introduced in Norway.
Armenian parliamentarian Lilit Galstyan says that the RA Ombudsman can also deal with children's issues. Galstyan notes that the state allocates $3500-5000 for the education and upbringing of an each orphan.
"Anyway, they continue to remain the most vulnerable group of the society: an orphanage can never replace a family," said the MP.
Galstyan says the government plans to replace orphanages with foster families but it requires great finances.
However, Maria Lugarich noted that foster families in Croatian villages do not always have the appropriate culture and skills and frequently turn the issue into a lucrative business.
The three-day conference was organized by the Armenian National Assembly, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
