LESOTHO: New bill seeks protection of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 24 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - Lesotho's parliamentarians gathered recently in the capital Maseru to deliberate upon a new Bill which seeks to protect AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

To date, the situation of children in the tiny mountain kingdom has been exacerbated by the serious gaps in existing legal and policy frameworks that are neither child-friendly nor work in the best interests of the child.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), more than 70 of the country's people die from AIDS-related illnesses every day, leaving behind a growing legacy of OVC with little or no protection and guidance.

"As Basotho people and Parliamentarians, we must invest in children today, or there will be no more adults tomorrow", Minister of Justice, Human Rights, Rehabilitation and Law and Constitutional Affairs, Refiloe Moses Masemene told the gathering.

The country's humanitarian crisis - fuelled by the dual impact of AIDS and poverty - has reached such an advanced stage that it has awakened a collective recognition of the need to catalyse immediate, concrete and effective responses.

A recent UN country assessment found that 59 percent of the population are currently living below the poverty line, and about 40 percent of the population fall into the "ultra-poor" category.

However, UNICEF Resident Representative Dr Bertrand Desmoulins noted in a statement: "It should be emphasised that the pandemic has helped to focus more starkly on the plight of many other children, besides orphans, who are in need of special protection."

Stressing the need for "decisive action", Desmoulins cautioned authorities against debate that did not lead to concrete results.

Already in drafting for the past four years, the new Bill will make provisions on a number issues for various groups of children who were never before regarded in child legislation.

It will cover family property, adoption, fostering, child friendly courtrooms and language, mechanisms for monitoring child rights and substance abuse.

"The Child Protection and Welfare Bill is an excellent tool and a monumental step forward to show the nation that we are not complacently watching our children suffer, while they struggle to survive but, that we are rising up to the challenge and pledging our support," Sefora Tsiu, of the Department of Social Welfare, confirmed.

Although well-received, UNICEF is concerned that the Bill risked the danger of becoming "just another paper work", while the situation of children continued to deteriorate.

The agency has called for the greater role of parliamentarians in influencing and monitoring national budgets and ensuring that sufficient funds are allocated and programmes are in place to effectively implement it.

"Parliamentarians have an obligation and are accountable to the people who elect them. The key sectors, civil society organisations and the UN system are willing to provide you with the necessary information, data and support to facilitate action and regular follow up on the well-being of Basotho children," Desmoulins confirmed.

[ENDS]