This report is issue No. (61) of the LCHR’S economic and social rights series. The report monitors violence against children which were published in Egyptian newspapers during the first half of 2008. It aims to identify incidents of violence against children, and the problems which they suffer from, in addition to knowing the exact volume of violence which they are exposed to.
The first part of the report reviews the most important features of domestic violence, which amounted to (48) violent incidents. These incidents led to the killing of (47) children.
The second part of the report monitors sexual abuse which children were exposed to. These violent incidents amounted to (33) incidents, either from within the family or from school or community.
The third part of the report monitors the crimes of murdering of children. These murders amounted to (13) murders.
The fourth part of the report reviews social, education, and health care negligence, which amounted to (72) incidents. These incidents led to the death of (35) children, due to negligence and violation of their rights.
The fifth part of the report monitors physical assault on children.
The sixth part of the report monitors incidents of children abduction, which amounted to (17) incidents.
The seventh part of the report monitors child exploitation crimes. These are new kinds of incidents which we had to add because we monitored more than one crime in which the perpetrators exploited children for profit. These crimes represent an assault on the rights of children to a safe and secure life.
The eights part of the report monitors a single incident of a mother selling her child for profit.
The ninth part of the report monitors official violence against children. The report monitors (4) incidents committed by official bodies. These incidents resulted in the death of a child in addition to the injury of (3) children and the imprisonment of two others.
The tenth part of the report monitors road accidents that claimed the lives of children, and other incidents which did not fall in any of the previous divisions, and which amounted to (45) incidents. These incidents led to the killing and death of (65) children.
In conclusion, the report presents some recommendations. The most important of these recommendations are as follows:
Increasing penalties for crimes of exploitation, abduction and killing of children.
The Ministry of Health must try to eliminate stray dogs that walk the streets and terrorize and intimidate our children.
Reviewing ministerial decisions which depend on supplying meals to the Ministry of Education. And, controlling and monitoring such meals, in order to prevent our children from getting sick and falling victims to governmental corruption. And to ensure that our children in schools are provided with healthy meals
Improving the health care provided for our children in public hospitals and health units.
Adopting new education programs that ensures the rehabilitation of all parties who deal with children, in order to make them respect the rights of children and not violate them.
Improving the economic and social conditions in order to reduce poverty and ensure a decent life for families with limited income, so as to stop the violence against our children. And in order to ensure a better future for our beloved Egypt.
You could visit the Center or our internet website for a copy of the report