A senior Democratic Labour Party official (DLP) has called for greater transparency and public engagement on the proposed Child Protection Bill.
Felicia Dujon, the DLP’s spokesman on education, issued a statement on Wednesday, saying transparency and public engagement were key in the ongoing discussions surrounding the revised Bill which is set to return to the House of Assembly when it resumes from the Easter break at month-end.
A day after an 800-page review of the Bill by a joint parliamentary select committee came to light, Dujon, a children’s rights advocate, argued that the revised legislation must be subjected to broader consultation and meticulous review before going back to Parliament. The review contains submissions from members of the public, including the DLP.
Acknowledging the urgent need for action on child protection, the DLP vice president expressed “profound concern” over the “dearth” of public accessibility to scrutinise the amended Bill.
She said transparency and public involvement are indispensable in ensuring that legislation effectively safeguards the rights of children.
Dujon highlighted the “alarming” prevalence of child abuse in Barbados, as disclosed by Minister of People Empowerment Kirk Humphrey’s statistics, which reveal a “distressingly consistent” pattern of reported cases over recent years.
While encouraging reporting, Dujon stressed the necessity for balanced measures to thwart false claims, echoing Minister Humphrey’s admonition against the misuse of social media in propagating inappropriate content concerning minors.
She also acknowledged the proposed establishment of a secure treatment facility provided for in the Child Protection Bill, while insisting on the need for transparency in the allocation of funds and renovation strategies to guarantee the judicious and efficacious use of resources.
At the same time, the DLP spokesperson on education said the safety and well-being of Barbados’ children necessitated a concerted and collective endeavour that encompasses transparency, public engagement, and the implementation of comprehensive legislative frameworks.
“Our populace comprehends the consequences of child abuse in our society and is prepared to take any required actions to guarantee the safety of every child. Nevertheless, it is imperative to remind the minister that the State must not encroach upon parental rights without valid cause, especially through vague and arbitrary legal terms,” Dujon said.
“The law,” she added, “should be unambiguous to prevent misunderstandings between the government and citizens.”
The revisions of the Child Justice Bill and the Child Protection Bill were made after they were reviewed by a seven-member parliamentary Joint Select Committee appointed last May.
The committee was tasked with examining whether the draft Bills aligned with international agreements like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promoted child safety and welfare, protected children from abuse and neglect, and put the best interests of children as the paramount consideration.
More than a dozen organisations and individuals made submissions to the review committee, including the DLP, Marsha Hinds-Myrie and Anya Lorde of Operation Safe Space, the Child Care Board, the Probation Department, the Barbados Bar Association and sociologist Dr Veronica Evelyn. (PR/EJ)
