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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