PHNOM PENH, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's relevant ministries have confirmed their commitment to act upon recommendations by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, said a joint statement released on Friday.
The statement was issued a day after a roundtable discussion event here, with more than 200 participants from government bodies, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and private entities.
Nim Thot, permanent secretary of state of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, said the ministry commits to strengthening the child protection system nationwide, including through finalizing and implementing the child protection law and carrying out social service workforce strategies, among others.
"To protect the best interests of all children, we call on all stakeholders to work together in turning the concluding observations made by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child to practical and contextual actions, in particular through using them to guide current and future development of programs, work plans, regulations and strategies," he said.
The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child regularly monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which is based on the key principles of the right to life, survival and development, non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, and the right to be heard.
Chou Bun Eng, Interior Ministry's secretary of state, said the ministry is dedicated to protecting children's rights in all settings, from home to the wider community, from schools to prisons.
"We aim to finalize and implement strengthened frameworks for the child protection system at both national and sub-national levels, including through the development and implementation of a child protection plan in 20 provinces, before moving nationwide in the coming years," she said.
The ministry also commits to finalizing and implementing the Child Protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)," Bun Eng added.
Foroogh Foyouzat, UNICEF representative in Cambodia, welcomed Cambodia's firm commitment to accelerate efforts to protect the rights of children.
"The UNICEF remains committed to supporting the government in creating a future where all children can grow, learn, play, develop and thrive with dignity in their families and community environment," Foyouzat said. ■