Article
Stop Child Cruelty Trust submitted to the UNHRC, 42nd session of the Universal Periodic Review, urging the international community to hold the Government of Sri Lanka accountable to fulfil its obligations to protect children. Child protection is a national crisis in Sri Lanka, with over 17 children physically or sexually abused and murdered in the past 24 months.
The relevant authorities have taken little or no action to meaningfully resolve the crisis. SCCT, a registered civil society organization committed to child rights, reached out to the international community to protect and promote the rights of 25 percent of Sri Lankan citizens, or 5.2 million children.
Six key focus areas
SCCT highlighted six key failures: implementation of a National Human Rights Action Plan; ending corporal punishment in schools and homes; protecting the human rights of children attending international schools; recognizing the child as a rights holder; implementing the juvenile justice system; and ensuring the police, probation, and childcare departments protect children.
Key recommendations
Among the ten recommendations are implementing the Supreme Court directive of 2021 to ban corporal punishment unequivocally, concluding the Child Protection and Justice Bill, and regularizing international schools through the Ministry of Education so children receive the same non-discriminatory constitutional protection.
Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka
Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka, founder and chairperson of Stop Child Cruelty Trust and co-convener of Sri Lanka's first Child Protection Alliance, said the nation has failed its children. She noted that the emphasis on protecting children was diminished in the National Action Plan for 2017 to 2021, and that the section on eliminating corporal punishment had been removed. As a consequence, abuse has become more severe, with children being beaten to death.
She said SCCT has made recommendations to reduce and mitigate these atrocities, with a focus on ending violence against children and corporal punishment. The organization has created a multi-pronged national action plan, the Pentagon Proposal, and has advocated on child rights and legal reform with national and international authorities. For the first time, party leaders agreed to place child protection at the heart of the National Security Agenda.
Geneva and beyond
Dr. Wickramanayaka said she had just returned from Geneva, where she attended the UPR pre-sessions and met with Permanent Representatives of State parties to present facts and gain support for children. She said SCCT was the only dedicated child rights organization from Sri Lanka at the sessions.
With the responses received, she expressed confidence that the country can change course and create an environment without violence for children. Those interested in the #Noguti campaign can visit the SCCT website, Facebook page, or email the trust directly.