Yudhoyono especially called for the fulfillment of four child`s basic rights, namely right to care and upbringing, health, education and recreation, and to protection from violence, exploitation and discrimination.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on all parties here on Tuesday to meet child`s basic rights.

In his speech on the National Children`s Day here on Tuesday President Yudhoyono especially called for the fulfillment of four child`s basic rights, namely right to care and upbringing, health, education and recreation, and to protection from violence, exploitation and discrimination.

"The fulfillment of the basic rights is in line with the mandate of the constitution that states that every child has rights to live, grow and develop as well as to protection from violence and discrimination," he said.

President Yudhoyono reminded that children are the future of the nation and on them the future of the country hings.

He said the country`s child population is significant reaching 34 percent.

He said they are the potential of the country and also valuable national assets for the future but they could also become a burden for the country if they are misguided.

President Yudhoyono said to improve the quality of child`s education the government has already designed several policies including developing child-friendly cities (KLA program).

"Thank God right now there are already 60 cities and districts that have developed to become child-friendly (KLA)," he said adding that 44 of them were able to develop by themselves using their regional budget.

He said the government has also widened access to education for children by providing "School Operational Aid" and "Poor Student Aid."

"The aids are given to increase participation of children from the economically-weak families in backward and isolated regions, fishermen families and migrant workers` dispatching centers," he said.

President Yudhoyono said the government also made efforts to improve children`s health conditions. "Thank God until now health service coverage for children is increasing," he said.

He said the government also gave support to and facilitate various innovative programs that could increase their brightness, fitness, security and welfare.

"We wish more Indonesian children and teenagers would be able to make achievements in the fields of science, sports, arts and others at national as well as international levels," he said.

To the national police and the ministry of justice and human rights President Yudhoyono appealed to cooperate to prevent, save and protect children from crimes such as abduction, trafficking for exploitative purposes such as employment, illegal adoption, narcotic abuse and others.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013