GERMAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE APPEALS TO PHILIPPINE SENATORS FOR CHILDREN

Dear Minister,

As we were in the Republic of Philippines last august for a visit, we were all very impressed by your engagement and determination to introduce and enforce the  change  of the system of justice, and the correctional system. It is a special concern to you, as it is to us, to obey children rights and improve the system of judgment for children and minors.

We were happy to hear from Father Shay Cullen (PREDA) who talked in a meeting on May 9th 2012, about the work of his organization in the Republic of Philippines, subsequently the Paranaque city jail that we visited, was closed down. We would like to thank you for your support regarding this topic.

To our surprise we noticed at the beginning of June, the amendment of the House Bill No. 6052, the age of criminal emancipation was lowered from 15 to 12 years. We do not understand the intention and purpose of this amendment, due to the fact that there is a small minority of crimes committed by children. This has a very negative effect for children who fall into this bracket, and commit these crimes.

From our point of view this law could conflict with the UN-Convention on the Rights of the Children, in this case we cannot accept this change in law.

Besides this, it is imperative to help those children who are affected. This is why we ask you to advocate   this issue so that minors have the chance to be treated in a youth centre. Further on, we are convinced that the children need on-going rehabilitation, pedagogic support and the access to education besides their penalty. We will support you to push through the rights of the children regarding these concerns.

 

Yours Sincerely,

Dagmar G. Wohrl

Committee  Chairperson