|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 19 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Child prisoners face abuse in Asian jails: UNICEF BANGKOK, Tuesday (AFP) Child prisoners in Asia are experiencing inhumane treatment and are at risk of sexual exploitation and drug abuse, UNICEF warned Tuesday as it called for a regional judicial overhaul for the young. The bleak outlook was laid out in a report by the UN fund titled "Justice for children, Detention as a last resort", which called on Asian governments to find alternatives to prison for young offenders. "Children behind bars face inhuman conditions and treatment. They are denied basic rights, such as decent healthcare and education, and are highly vulnerable to drug abuse, sexual exploitation and HIV/AIDS," it said. Many children in detention have been convicted of only petty crimes or are awaiting trial, sometimes for extended periods, while others are guilty only of being homeless, or are victims of child trafficking and other forms of abuse. UNICEF's regional director Mehr Khan said a greater focus was also needed on the causes of youth crime in the region. "The vast majority of children in conflict with the law have suffered a history of abuse, including violence at home and at school, sexual exploitation, drug addiction and poverty," Khan told AFP. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
