It’s unacceptable, mentioned the Commissioner for the Safety of Youngsters's Rights, to be invited to the Parliament for the dialogue of a proposal or apparently an modification that actually violates fundamental rules
The Commissioner for the Safety of Youngsters's Rights, Despo Michailidou, states that she is in opposition to the ELAM's proposal for a legislation on intercourse schooling, which was put up for dialogue on Wednesday earlier than the Parliamentary Committee on Schooling, as, as she says, it violates fundamental rules, each of Cypriot laws and of the authorized obligations of the Republic.
In a memorandum of the Commissioner, made public by her Workplace forward of the talk, it’s acknowledged that the particular proposal for a legislation by the Parliamentary Group of the Nationwide Folks's Entrance “is in full opposition to the spirit and the letter of the Holistic Sexual Schooling Legislation of 2022 (205 (I)/2022) and the aim and the item for which safety is sought”.
Ms. Michailidou notes that the proposal in query “undermines any efforts of the State and particularly of the Ministry of Schooling, Sports activities and Youth which tries to institute procedures to guard psychological and bodily well being and to appreciate and safeguard youngsters's rights”.
It’s unacceptable, he continues, “to be invited to the Parliament for the dialogue of a proposal or advert hoc modification which, in essence, violates fundamental rules of each Cypriot laws and the authorized obligations of the Republic, disregarding Worldwide Conventions, European Directives and Suggestions Worldwide Organizations whose aim is the safety and well-being of all its youngsters”.
He additionally says that the proposed legislation is restricted to the safety of youngsters from sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, with out holistically addressing the sexual schooling of youngsters to successfully guarantee their rights, relying on their age and degree of maturity.
Amongst different issues, the Commissioner states that the inclusion within the curricula of Cyprus of a scientifically documented, pedagogically oriented and tailored to the wants and realities of youngsters, intercourse schooling, “is now an indeniable necessity for a state of legislation, which cares and takes care of the welfare of his youngsters”.
It additionally says that any authorized regulation of Holistic Sexuality Schooling must be primarily based on the rights strategy, making certain the fitting to life, survival and growth, the fitting to entry to high quality well being providers, to security, and above all to the fitting of youngsters to be protected against sexual abuse and exploitation.
Within the proposed legislation, he continues, the amended provisions work “in opposition to the very best pursuits of the kid” as, he says, information protects youngsters from displaying habits alien to their organic and emotional maturity.
“So long as youngsters don't know, they continue to be uncovered to a number of dangers. On the identical time, since sexual schooling consists of the cultivation of abilities and empathy, it helps youngsters to make knowledgeable and acutely aware selections”, says Despo Michailidou in her memorandum.
He lastly says that the one provision with which he can agree is the proposal so as to add a subsection to Article 4 of the prevailing Legislation, to incorporate the duty of the competent Authority to prepare academic workshops, experiential and non-experiential, lectures and seminars for fogeys on points associated to , not solely with the safety of youngsters from sexual abuse, however extra usually with how dad and mom ought to talk about with their youngsters problems with social growth, sexual well being, creating wholesome relationships but in addition for each matter that considerations youngsters based on their age and maturity overtly and with out prejudices.
Supply: KYPE
