As part of the World Day of Street Children (20 November) the Haitian Foundation "Zanmi Timoun Fwontyè" (Founded in 2001) is appalled by the fact that the phenomenon of street children continues in the country and is indignated by the precarious living conditions of these children left to themselves, wearing dirty and torn clothes forced to beg to find some food.

Despite the proliferation of organizations and institutions involved in the fight against this phenomenon, street children are still numerous in the capital and in some provincial towns.

"Zanmi Timoun Fwontyè" denounces the irresponsibility of the Haitian State underlining the non-respect of its obligations towards children and families in Haiti, recalling that the Constitution amended in its prescriptions stipulates in articles 260 and 261 the State commitments to ensure the protection of children and families.

Article 260 :

It (the State) owes equal protection to all families, whether or not they are married. It must provide help and assistance to maternity, childhood and old age.

Article 261 :

The law provides protection to all children. Every child has the right to love, affection, understanding and the moral and material care of his father and mother.

In addition, the Foundation reminds the Haitian Government by ratifying in 1994, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, is committed to respect the rights of children, including their right to food, their right to health, their right to education, their right to live in an environment conducive to their physical, psychological, moral, social and spiritual development. But that in fact, the Haitian State has taken no effective measures to meet its obligations.

To effectively combat the phenomenon of street children, the Foundation recommends to the Government in terms of corrective measures to remove street children for placement in reintegration centers or in families and provide them with an education adapted to their needs. As for preventive measures, it is for the State to adopt an effective social policy with regard to children and the family so that any family is able to meet the basic needs of its children: food, clothing , housing, education, health and finally the Haitian state must ensure that new children do not return to live on the streets.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10250-haiti-education-for-a-better-supervision-of-street-children.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10357-haiti-education-two-new-social-and-academic-integration-centers-for-street-children.html

HL/ HaitiLibre