SINGAPORE RATIFIES PROTOCOL ON CHILDREN IN WAR

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab
SINGAPORE, Jan 6 (Bernama) - Singapore Tuesday ratified the Optional
Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on
the involvement of children in armed conflict.

The republic's instrument of ratification was deposited last Dec 11 and the
Optional Protocol would enter into force for Singapore next week, a month after
the date.

The republic also submitted its periodic reports on the implementation of
the UNCRC to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Singapore's Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry,
the Optional Protocol called for the protection of children from involvement in
situations of armed conflict, and recruitment into armed forces.

Singapore's ratification of the Optional Protocol showed the republic
continued commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, the
ministry said.

The ministry also said the submission of the second and third periodic
reports on its implementation on UNCRC followed from Singapore's accession to
the UNCRC in October 1995, and the submission of its initial report to the
committee in 2002.

It tracked key developments in child welfare and protection during the
period 2003 to 2007, which underscored Singapore's continued commitment to
ensuring the best interests of the child, the ministry added.

Among the key developments captured in the periodic reports included
information on progress in the area of legislative and judicial enhancements to
protect children, including the 2007 Penal Code amendments and the creation of
the Community and Children Care Courts.

The minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, said the progress that had been made
in the area of child development was a testament to the commitment of the
Singapore Government and its people in working to better the lives of all
children in the republic.
-- BERNAMA