Misereor and Tatort-Strassen der Welt e.V humanitarian organizations support Filipino children

Misereor and Tatort-Strassen der Welt e.V humanitarian organizations support Filipino children.
20 May 2019
Preda News

In a letter addressed to the Senators of the Philippines two  leading and well known organizations across Germany and   the EU. Misereor is a church based organization in Aachen, and Tatort Foundation, in Cologne. They have appealed to the conscience of the senators not to lower the age of criminal responsibility for Filipino children from 15 years-of-age to 12.   

“Being the ones responsible for the future of your country, you certainly are always guided by your conscience. Like all of us, you must justify what you do before God and humanity. Our only concern is that you see to it that you follow your conscience”

The reminder has come at a critical time when the moral principles and respect for human dignity are in greatest need of reinforcement and protection.  The letter goes on to say that the children are innocent and  in need  of love, care and security.

“Children are not to blame for the precarious situations in which they live in. Unfortunately, too many of them suffer deprivations and the worst form of violence that comes with poverty.

The letter goes on to support the children and to ask the Senators not to lower the age of criminal responsibility.”Therefore we call on you to keep the age of criminal responsibly at 15 years old as stipulated by the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act and to continue the efforts you have started in promoting restorative justice and transformative justice instead of imposing more punitive measures against the well-being and welfare of Filipino Children”.

This reminder comes at a critical time when more and more children are being picked up and accused of petty crimes of which many are innocent yet they are increasingly locked up for months or years in jail cells. Many children complain of being beaten, and sexually abused by older inmates in the cells and sometime by guards. They receive no legal help or education or exercise besides what NGOs like the Preda Foundation is giving them.

Both Misereor and Tatort  strongly support this work of Preda  helping their rescue of almost one hundred children a year from the cells and gives them a new life in the Preda home for boys in Castellijos, Zambales. Misereor and Tatort-Strassen der Welt e.V appealed  for more compassion and help for the children.

“Please help create more compassionate measures that would instead empower children who get in conflict with the law .Let us help them believe that they do have a chance to live a good life and achieve a better future.

The letter was signed by the board members of Tatort, three being famous Television series actors: Dietmar Bar, Klaus J. Behrendt and Jo Bausch, and Tatort Executive Director Ulrike Thonniges Dr.Martin Brockelmann-Simon, Misereor Managing Director.   

Preda News