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Children In Kashmir Conflict

By Tawseef Kashoo

16 November, 2007
Countercurrents.org

There are certain groups of human beings which either by nature or because of deep rooted customs are weak, vulnerable and helpless. Child is one among them. Universally, children, they would be citizens of tomorrow are disadvantaged in one significant respect, that they are defenseless both mentally and physically. If born and brought up under conflicting conditions are open for exploitation and they fall easy victims to several crimes perpetrated against them.

Crimes against children those involving violence, physical and mental such as child abuse, forced Labour and child prostitution are becoming matters of serious concern state wise as well as internationally.

In state of Jammu and Kashmir state children suffer day and night. They suffer because they are subjected to frisking like every individual of the state. They are subjected to torture and molestation. They suffer because parents of so many children remain in jail, remain absconding because security agencies are looking for them and in order to force them to surrender their children are subjected to torture.

Children suffer a psychological torture on account of death of their parents because of conflict. At time they have to migrate from their native places on account of migration they can’t live in all together different atmosphere. They suffer from cultural shock in new atmosphere. At times we find children used as shield during mine clearing operations made to report to nearest security pickets at intervals. So many children are used for all sort of absurd activities.

Children are uprooted in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are at risk of human rights violation from both state agencies and armed groups. The government of Jammu and Kashmir is under an international obligation to promote and protect Child right in line with India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child. Armed groups are under an obligation to abide by the standards of International Humanitarian law which strictly forbid the torture, killing and hostage taking all civilians, including children.

Children are deeply affected by witnessing abuses inflicted on their elders, on fathers, mothers and sisters humiliated harassed, injured or killed by law enforcement or agencies armed groups. A large number of children have also had take on the burdens of child labour after the “disappearances” of the main bread earners of their family.

Government is obliged to protect all the rights of child- economic, social and cultural as well as civil political. States are not only responsible for the violations committed by their own state officials, but they are also obliged to take positive measures to prevent abuses against children by private individuals, whether in the community or in the family.

International Non Governmental Organisation (INGO) namely Amnesty International campaign around the world to ensure that children’s human rights are protected. It calls on governments, opposition groups and all other actors who exercise control over children to adhere to the principal of “best interest of the child” as the primary consideration in all actions concerning children.

Almost all government pay lip service to children’s rights, but most fail to live up to their words. Children suffer many of the same human rights abuses as adults, but are often targeted because they are dependent and vulnerable or because children are not seen as individuals with their own rights.

Children are tortured and ill-treated by state officials, detained in appalling conditions and sentenced to death. Countless thousands are killed and maimed in armed conflict. Millions are forced by poverty or abuse to live on the streets where they are vulnerable to abuse. Millions more work at exploitative or hazardous jobs or are victims of child trafficking and forced prostitutions. Discriminatory and unfair attitudes and practices mean girl children suffer gender-specific abuses, such as female genital mutilation, and are particularly vulnerable to other forms of abuse, including rape.

What concern me and should concern all of us, that we have no juvenile homes in Jammu and Kashmir inspite of the fact that International law require it and supreme court has made it compulsory.


(Author can be reached at: [email protected])


 

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